Groundbreaking Therapy Presented as an Alternative to Opioids for Chronic Pain Management
A groundbreaking study presented at the annual meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons has revealed a promising alternative to opioids for managing chronic cervical and lumbar pain. The study found that a combination of remote cognitive behavioral therapy and in-home virtual reality sessions, known as Vx® Therapy, effectively reduces pain and addresses behavioral health conditions in patients suffering from chronic pain.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Matt McGirt, expressed his enthusiasm for this breakthrough therapy. Traditionally, chronic back and neck pain has been treated with potentially addictive pain medications and even surgery. However, Vx® Therapy offers a non-pharmacological and non-invasive approach to pain management, providing both physicians and surgeons with a safe and highly effective tool to treat patients.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been recognized as an effective treatment for chronic pain and associated conditions like anxiety, depression, and physical disability. However, many patients struggle to access CBT due to a shortage of trained care providers, lack of transportation for in-person sessions, and inconsistent engagement in therapy. Vx® Therapy, developed by Harvard MedTech, overcomes these barriers by offering remote therapy sessions guided by a behavioral health clinician along with an in-home virtual reality program.
Dr. Nicholas Theodore, co-author of the study and practicing neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University, emphasized the holistic nature of Vx® Therapy. By addressing both pain and the associated psychological effects, the therapy treats the entire patient, offering a comprehensive approach that has often been ignored by traditional healthcare models.
The study involved 145 patients with chronic degenerative neck and back pain who participated in a 14-week Vx® Therapy program. The treatment included weekly telephone calls with trained therapists and 50 modules of virtual reality therapy. Patients reported their pain, anxiety, and severity scores before and immediately after each session, along with the duration of pain relief. Measures recorded included daily pain intensity, pain behavior, pain interference, anxiety, and depression.
The results of the study were highly promising. Vx® Therapy acutely reduced pain during use by an average of 33%, with relief lasting for an average of 2.8 hours after the session. Additionally, anxiety was reduced by an impressive 46%. Dr. McGirt highlighted that patients experienced a significant reduction in pain levels, similar to what one would expect from a four-hour opioid tablet, but without the associated side effects and addiction risks. Furthermore, patients’ overall functioning improved during the treatment period.
Dr. McGirt believes that these findings have tremendous implications for pain management, particularly in an aging population. Vx® Therapy offers a proven solution that is effective, scalable, and conveniently delivered in the comfort of patients’ homes. As the first commercially available virtual reality product designed specifically for pain management, it represents a significant step forward in healthcare.
Harvard MedTech, the innovative digital health company behind Vx® Therapy, integrates current scientific knowledge of how the brain works with virtual reality experiences, psychosocial support, and digital engagement. Their solution offers a unique and comprehensive approach that drives high compliance, patient satisfaction, and optimal outcomes. Vx® Therapy is not only affordable and scalable but also provides trackable data for a clear assessment of its value to patients and healthcare providers.
This groundbreaking therapy is poised to transform the landscape of pain management. With its ability to effectively address chronic pain and associated psychological conditions, Vx® Therapy offers hope for millions of Americans suffering from pain. It is a much-needed alternative to opioids that prioritizes patient safety and well-being.
In a world grappling with the opioid epidemic, Vx® Therapy represents a significant breakthrough. It marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare, as clinicians and patients have been eagerly awaiting a technology that can provide safe and successful pain relief. With Vx® Therapy, that wait is finally over.
