Abstract
Introduction: Effective long-term management of persistent pain is facilitated by good patient health literacy. Virtual reality presents a promising avenue for enhancing the delivery of pain science education and developing health literacy, owing to its immersive capabilities. However, research exploring the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual reality in this context remains in its infancy.Objectives: This thesis aimed to investigate the role of virtual reality in promoting health literacy among individuals with persistent pain, and to understand the thoughts and experiences of healthcare professionals regarding its usability, acceptability, and potential impact on health literacy.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising a systematic scoping review of existing research, semi-structured interviews with health professionals using a virtual reality-based pain science education tool, and thematic analysis to categorise considerations related to feasibility and potential influence on health literacy.
Results: Existing research indicates heterogeneity in the use of virtual reality to support individuals with persistent pain, with some studies addressing basic principles of health literacy with other more interactive and critical elements of health literacy, such as information seeking, effective communication, and information use, lacking coverage. Interviews with health professionals revealed that a virtual reality-based tool has the potential to be a feasible adjunct for developing health literacy in people with persistent pain, offering immersive experiential learning experiences that have the potential to provide superior outcomes related to information understanding, appraisal, and application.
Conclusions: Virtual reality is a promising and potentially impactful tool for supporting the development of health literacy in individuals with persistent pain. Specifically, it offers a unique solution for enhancing the understanding and appraisal of pain science education by fostering immersive experiential learning, which increases the plausibility and credibility of complex information. However, to fully realise its potential, challenges related to implementation, such as the need for adequate resource training, clinician engagement, and seamless integration of digital solutions into existing clinical workflows, must be addressed. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for facilitating the widespread adoption of VR in both clinical practice and research, ensuring its effectiveness and sustainability.
| Date of Award | 12 Feb 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Denis Martin (Supervisor), Cormac Ryan (Supervisor) & Jaj Mankelow (Supervisor) |