182 - VIRTUAL REALITY TO IMPROVE PAIN MANAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH IN STROKE SURVIVORS WITH CHRONIC PAIN: THE VR-ACT FEASIBILITY STUDY

Session: D08S0011 - Digital Media, Technology & Health 1
AUTHORS:
Carvalho Sérgio (University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Portugal ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Menezes Paulo (Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Duarte Catarina (Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS) ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Skvarc David (School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University ~ Geelong ~ Australia) , Sousa E Silva Ana Rita (University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Portugal ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Valentim Ana (Department of Anesthesiology, Hospitais da Universidade de Coim ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Diogo João Emanuel (Center for Classical and Humanistic Studies (CECH) ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Sargento Freitas João (Department of Neurology, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Coimbra ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , A Trindade Inês (Center for Health and Medical Psychology, School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences, University of Örebro ~ Örebro ~ Sweden) , Castilho Paula (University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Portugal ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal) , Lapa Teresa (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade da Beira Interior ~ Covilhã ~ Portugal) , Andersson Gerhard (Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping ~ Linköping ~ Sweden) , Castelo-Branco Miguel (Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS) ~ Coimbra ~ Portugal)
Abstract text:
BACKGROUND: Chronic post-stroke pain affects 40%-65% of stroke survivors, and increases the likelihood of functional dependence and cognitive decline, the risk of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and the risk of suicidality. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) promotes awareness and acceptance of internal experiences, and engagement with valued activities through mindfulness and behavioural exercises, and is especially helpful in chronic health conditions, as its primary focus is not on changing symptoms, but rather on promoting acceptance of difficult internal experiences and behavioural changes towards a valued and meaningful life. Nonetheless, its feasibility and efficacy via immersive human-digital interaction technologies are underexplored.
METHOD: This funded pilot (2023.13402.PEX) has two objectives: to develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week virtual reality (VR) ACT program (VR-ACT) in a sample of CPSP patients; to pilot test the efficacy of VR-ACT in improving pain, mental health, and adaptive psychological processes and skills, and in reducing the functional connectivity of the Triple Network (DMN, SN, and FPN), by comparing the experimental condition (VR-ACT) to a sham 2D non-immersive distracting video-animations control condition (Sham VR) pre- to post-intervention. The trial will start in December 2025.
EXPECTED RESULTS: the implementation of VR-ACT will be feasible, measured by adherence (i.e., attrition rate), engagement (number of VR usage; completion), and acceptability (qualitative post-intervention assessment); the VR-ACT program will be significantly more effective in reducing pain intensity and disability, and psychopathological symptoms, and in increasing quality of life and well-being (self-report measures), as well as in reducing functional connectivity of the triple network (fMRI), than the Sham VR.
CONCLUSION: The project will potentially open a new avenue of research in CPSP (i.e., the development of self-regulatory skills through digital solutions in CPSP rehabilitation) and reinforce the need for biopsychosocial multi-modal approaches to CPSP.