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Medscape
13 hours ago
- General
- Medscape
Immersive VR-Biofeedback Shows Promise for Fibromyalgia Care
Immersive virtual reality combined with multisensor biofeedback (IVR-BF) demonstrated significant potential for alleviating chronic pain and improving quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia after five treatment sessions. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial at a tertiary academic referral center for fibromyalgia to assess the feasibility and efficacy of IVR-BF in reducing chronic pain and improving quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. They included 23 women (median age, 47 years) with chronic nononcologic widespread musculoskeletal pain who met the criteria for fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the immediate treatment group that completed five IVR-BF sessions within 10 days (n = 12) or the waitlist control group that did not receive any treatment during the period (n = 11). The waitlist group received treatment after completion of sessions in the treatment group. Both groups were monitored for up to 15 days after the final session. During each 15-minute virtual reality session, participants sat comfortably in an armchair and wore a headset. A Quest Touch controller was provided for a brief interaction with the virtual environment, with two tasks of 3 minutes each assigned during the session. Heart rate, skin conductance, and respiratory activity were recorded using electrodes and sensors. Participants completed questionnaires such as the visual analog scale for pain (VAS pain) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for the impact of the condition on daily life; the primary outcome was reduction (at least 30%) in pain intensity, assessed through VAS scores. TAKEAWAY: Patients receiving IVR-BF experienced significantly greater pain reduction than untreated control patients, with a 50.97% improvement in VAS pain scores. Patients receiving IVR-BF showed a significant improvement in VAS pain from baseline after five sessions ( P < .001), whereas the untreated control patients did not show this improvement. < .001), whereas the untreated control patients did not show this improvement. Likewise, patients receiving IVR-BF experienced significantly greater reductions in FIQ scores than untreated control patients, with a 39.73% improvement in scores. Improvements were also noted in respiratory rate, heart rate variability, and skin conductance levels across sessions. Overall, 78.25% of patients experienced no adverse events, and one patient had moderate blurred vision during and immediately after IVR-BF sessions, leading to discontinuation. Additionally, 71.43% reported being satisfied with the intervention. IN PRACTICE: 'The study demonstrates the feasibility and the promising potential of the IVR-BF approach for FM [fibromyalgia] treatment and suggests that IVR can enhance biofeedback efficacy by fostering a more engaging and relaxing experience,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Luca Chittaro, MSc, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. It was published online on May 15, 2025, in ACR Open Rheumatology . LIMITATIONS: This trial lacked a placebo control group and may be potentially subjected to investigator bias due to unmasked results. The duration of the study was short, and its small sample size comprising women may limit the generalizability of the findings. DISCLOSURES: The study did not report any specific funding. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. Credit Lead image: Prostockstudio/Dreamstime Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC Cite this: Edited by Shreyasi Asthana. Immersive Virtual Reality-Biofeedback Shows Promise for Fibromyalgia Care in Pilot Study - Medscape - June 03, 2025.
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Quebec committee charged with analyzing gender identity issues releases lengthy report
A Quebec committee tasked with advising the government on gender identity issues has penned a 280-page report addressing various matters tied to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The report, which is extensive in scope, largely recommends further study and consultation concerning the support and care given to trans people. Among its concrete recommendations, however, is a suggestion that schools in Quebec maintain gendered bathrooms, but also add gender-neutral bathrooms. The head of the committee, Diane Lavallée, former president of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) and the Conseil du statut de la femme, said the committee met with more than 200 people before publishing its report. "It's important for us that Quebec continues to fight against discrimination and intimidation against trans or non-binary people and respect their rights and their needs, in health matters, notably," she said. "This also has to be done respecting the legitimate concerns of all other groups, notably parents and women." Even before its publication, the report was mired in controversy. When Quebec's family minister unveiled the committee in 2023, 2SLGBTQ+ groups decried the fact that none of the three committee members were members of the community. A technical briefing at which the committee was scheduled to present the results of their report was delayed on Friday as trans protesters holding a banner that said "say it to our face" tried to attend but were barred. Police in Quebec City, where the event was taking place, escorted the protesters from the building. The lengthy report weighed in on subjects as diverse as sports and the presence of trans people in prisons, noting, in many cases, the need for further study of contentious issues. The committee also issued suggestions, including supporting the right for a trans person to be imprisoned in a prison corresponding with their gender identity with the caveat that a panel agrees their transition is genuine and it is suitable for them and for the people with whom they would be imprisoned. On the issue of women in sports, the committee suggested maintaining gendered sports programs but said the government should support sports associations that want to establish mixed programs.
