Virtual reality is an effective tool to enhance treatments for chronic pain. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by a team of researchers from IDIAPJGol and Badalona Serveis Assistencials (BSA), published in JMIR XR and Spatial Computing, which evaluated the incorporation of this technology into therapeutic groups in primary care centres (CAP). The results show high satisfaction among both patients and professionals and indicate that this tool could be safely integrated into primary care consultations.
Chronic pain is one of the most widespread health problems in Europe. It affects approximately one in four people, limits their quality of life and often requires pharmacological treatments that may have side effects and offer limited long-term benefits.
Reducing anxiety
During 2024, a team of psychologists specialising in emotional and community well-being, together with primary and community care physiotherapists, assessed the effectiveness of virtual reality as a tool for teaching relaxation techniques, improving body awareness or carrying out movement-based activities safely and with guidance in seven chronic pain groups across three primary care centres managed by BSA: CAP Apenins-Montigalà, CAP Progrés-Raval and CAP Morera-Pomar.
The researchers carried out immersive activities in mindfulness, emotional management, pain education, and guided physical exercise using virtual reality. In these sessions, patients used VR headsets for 15–20 minutes during each meeting.
A total of 85.7 % of participants completed the programme. Only 5.6 % reported temporary dizziness or discomfort, and no serious incidents were recorded. According to the study, “the incorporation of virtual reality into consultations represents a step forward towards more human, person-centred care.”
Expansion phase
Following the positive results obtained in these centres, the project has expanded this year to the remaining primary care centres of the Badalona health and social care organisation (CAP Nova Lloreda, CAP Martí i Julià, CAP Montgat – Dr. Jardí and the Tiana Local Clinic). It has also entered a new phase of expansion into centres not managed by BSA, with the aim of assessing its scalability and long-term impact. Specifically, a pilot project was carried out this year with fibromyalgia patients at CAP Dr. Sarro Roset in Valls, managed by the Catalan Health Institute.
According to the study’s first author, José Ferrer Costa, multidisciplinary group programmes that combine physical, psychological and self-management strategies can offer a safer and more comprehensive approach. However, their accessibility remains inconsistent and is limited by structural and organisational barriers.
This technique was presented on 22 October during the Innovation Week of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, at the event “Innovating in Health: Virtual and Immersive Reality in Primary Care”, organised by the IDIAPJGol Innovation Agency.
Article reference
Ferrer Costa J, Fernandez Brusco A, Torrecillas Camacho C, Villabona Lopez E, Rodriguez Belloso M, Villares Urgell L, Serrano Barrena P, Morán Bueno N
Integrating Extended Reality Into Primary Care Chronic Pain Programs via the REDOCVR Intervention: Real-World Implementation Feasibility and Usability Study JMIR XR Spatial Comput 2025;2:e82858 doi: 10.2196/82858
