Virtual reality in the hospital: how VR reduces anxiety and pain in patients

Virtual reality has entered hospitals as a non-pharmacological therapeutic tool. How it works, what the evidence shows, and where it is already being used.

Until just a few years ago, virtual reality was associated with video games. Today it is a clinical tool that hospitals around the world — including several Italian hospitals — use to reduce anxiety, stress, and pain in patients.

How therapeutic VR works

The neurophysiological principle is simple: the brain has limited attentional resources. When attention is absorbed by an immersive experience, fewer resources remain available to process painful or anxiety-provoking stimuli. This is the mechanism of distraction therapy, amplified by the total immersion that only the headset can provide.

Where it is already used

Oncology: during chemotherapy and prolonged infusions.
Pediatrics: for blood draws, dressings, and outpatient procedures.
Pre-surgery: to reduce preoperative anxiety without drugs.
Pain therapy: as a complement to drug treatments.

What the evidence says

Several clinical studies show significant reductions in pain perception (up to 30-50% in some pediatric settings) and pre-procedural anxiety. It does not replace drug therapy, but it reduces the need for it and its side effects.

What are the next steps

Systematic adoption requires three things: clinically validated content, integration into department workflows, and staff training. All three elements are at the center of platforms such as Lemons in the Room.