The application of Immersive Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis |
Organisation Medisch Spectrum Twente, Rheumatology department |
Location Enschede, the Netherlands |
Period of internship October 2025 (could be combined with thesis) |
Description of Assignment |
Pain in rheumatic diseases comes in different forms. Inflammatory pain is currently treated with painkillers (paracetamol), non-steroidal inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. In a subset of patients, after adequate treatment and remission of inflammation, a chronic neuropathic-like pain remains. This pain is thought to be due to central sensitization and does not respond well to conventional therapy with medication. One possible new treatment option is Virtual Reality based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Reducept). In the VIRTUAL Trial patients will be randomized 1:1 to the VR intervention or usual care. After randomization patients will be followed for 8 weeks. During this period, the VR group will use Reducept, and their NRS pain score will be monitored before and after each VR session. This assignment aims to analyze changes in pain scores to determine the immediate effects of using VR Reducept. Additionally, a subset of the patients will be interviewed to gain understanding on perceived causes and effects. Requirements: Dutch proficiency |
Information contact person: |
Name: Mirjam Hegeman |
