Pain Control and Anxiolysis After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Using Immersive Virtual Reality: A Case Report. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kardon, Adam; Murray, Robert S.; Khalid, Mazhar; Colloca, Luana; Simard, J. Marc.; Badjatia, Neeraj; Murthi, Sarah B.; Morris, Nicholas A.
• Is Part Of: Neurohospitalist. Volume 12:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 563
• Page End: 566
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: subarachnoid hemorrhage -- pain management -- virtual reality -- headache; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1177/19418744221099412
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-8744

Abstract

Debilitating headache persists after acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Despite high prevalence, little is known regarding optimal treatment strategies for SAH-related headache. Nonpharmacologic adjunctive therapies are emerging as tools to help treat pain and limit opioid exposure in the hospital. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive audiovisual experience that has been shown to reduce pain perception in other patient populations. The role of VR in acute brain injury is unknown. Here we report a patient with SAH who suffered from persistent headache during her hospitalization despite escalation of analgesic pharmacotherapy. A trial of VR was used as an adjunct to medication over four days. The patient reported subjective improvement in pain and anxiety. VR may provide additional analgesia and anxiolysis over pharmacologic measures alone and warrants further study in patients with acute brain injury.