Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Jan 26, 2025; 13(3): 97856
Published online Jan 26, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i3.97856
Application of virtual reality technology improves the functionality of brain networks in individuals experiencing pain
Takahiko Nagamine
Takahiko Nagamine, Department of Psychiatric Internal Medicine, Sunlight Brain Research Center, Hofu 7470066, Yamaguchi, Japan
Author contributions: Nagamine T contributed conceptualization, investigation, original draft, review and editing.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author(s) declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Takahiko Nagamine, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatric Internal Medicine, Sunlight Brain Research Center, 4-13-18 Jiyugaoka, Hofu 7470066, Yamaguchi, Japan. anagamine@yahoo.co.jp
Received: June 11, 2024
Revised: October 22, 2024
Accepted: October 28, 2024
Published online: January 26, 2025
Processing time: 154 Days and 0.2 Hours
Abstract

Medical procedures are inherently invasive and carry the risk of inducing pain to the mind and body. Recently, efforts have been made to alleviate the discomfort associated with invasive medical procedures through the use of virtual reality (VR) technology. VR has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for pain associated with medical procedures, as well as for chronic pain conditions for which no effective treatment has been established. The precise mechanism by which the diversion from reality facilitated by VR contributes to the diminution of pain and anxiety has yet to be elucidated. However, the provision of positive images through VR-based visual stimulation may enhance the functionality of brain networks. The salience network is diminished, while the default mode network is enhanced. Additionally, the medial prefrontal cortex may establish a stronger connection with the default mode network, which could result in a reduction of pain and anxiety. Further research into the potential of VR technology to alleviate pain could lead to a reduction in the number of individuals who overdose on painkillers and contribute to positive change in the medical field.

Keywords: Virtual reality; Pain; Anxiety; Salience network; Default mode network

Core Tip: Recently, efforts have been made to reduce the discomfort associated with invasive medical procedures through the use of virtual reality (VR) technology. Furthermore, VR has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for chronic pain, for which no effective treatment has been established. Visual input of positive images may effectively alter functional brain networks. Pain and anxiety may be reduced by decreasing activity in the salience network and by allowing the medial prefrontal cortex to establish strong connections with the default mode network. VR technology can change brain networks and reduce pain and anxiety.