Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy as Treatment for Pain-Related Fear and Disability in Chronic Pain

摘要: Pain-related fear and concomitant avoidance behavior have been identified as major contributors to development maintenance of chronic musculoskeletal pain disability. While graded exposure therapy (GEXP) is advocated one the most effective strategies for reducing pain-related disability, its practical utility large-scale dissemination limited. The current chapter describes a novel virtual reality (VR) methodology optimize exposure-based treatment individuals with pain, focusing specifically on low back (CLBP). Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy (VRGET) promises address several limitations characterizing traditional GEXP approaches incorporate cutting-edge disability-relevant assessment intervention. Specifically, VRGET able mitigate costs traditionally associated treatment, enhance participant engagement provide real-time important metrics such affective response kinematic adaptation, promote generalizability rehabilitation gains across clinic home environments.