Virtual Reality: A New Tool to Manage IBS Pain
Virtual reality (VR) is being explored as a brand new method to help patients manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects the massive intestine and could cause abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have developed a home-based VR program that uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist patients manage their IBS symptoms.
How the Program Works
The eight-week program, generally known as IBS VR, provides patients with a VR headset and access to a mobile app that provides recent virtual "treatment rooms" every few days. In these treatment rooms, patients learn leisure strategies and other tactics to assist manage their IBS symptoms, comparable to pain and stress. The program is designed to be utilized in the comfort of the patient’s own residence, making it more accessible to those that can have difficulty attending in-person therapy sessions.
The Science Behind IBS VR
IBS is a gut-brain interaction disorder, meaning that the condition is affected by the connection between the brain and the gut. By using CBT to calm the nervous system, patients might help keep their gut calm and reduce symptoms. According to Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and senior creator of the study, "We want to boost awareness of the chance to think beyond the pill and particularly take into consideration VR." The goal of IBS VR is so as to add this recent tool to the cognitive behavioral therapy toolbox, making it more easily accessible to all patients.
Testing and Funding
The IBS VR program has received positive feedback from users and can now undergo further testing with funding from a $1 million, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health. The study’s authors, including Karisma K. Suchak, Christopher V. Almario, Omer Liran, and Robert Chernoff, are excited to proceed exploring the potential of VR to enhance the lives of patients with IBS.
Conclusion
The use of virtual reality to oversee IBS symptoms is a promising recent area of research that might provide relief to hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. By providing patients with a convenient and accessible method to manage their symptoms, IBS VR has the potential to enhance the standard of life for those living with this condition. As the study’s authors proceed to explore the chances of VR, we may even see a future where this technology becomes a typical tool within the treatment of IBS and other gut-brain interaction disorders. To stay up-to-date on the newest developments on this field, follow Cedars-Sinai Academic Medicine on LinkedIn for more on the newest basic science and clinical research from Cedars-Sinai.
