Virtual Reality to Reduce Pain During Wound Care in Long-Term Care

The PRISM study is testing whether immersive virtual reality—a technology that places you in a calming, distracting virtual environment through a headset—can help reduce pain during wound care procedures. Researchers want to see if this approach works for older adults living in long-term care facilities who receive regular wound care for pressure ulcers, and whether it's practical and acceptable to use in these settings.

Pressure ulcer wound care is often painful and stressful for residents in long-term care, especially those with dementia, and there are few good pain-relief options beyond medication. This medication-free approach using virtual reality has shown promise in other medical settings, but hasn't been thoroughly tested for wound care in older adults.