AB126. SOH25_AB_073. The use of augmented reality for Qutenza related procedural pain

Background: Digital reality is transforming hospital experiences by offering patients immersive environments that can reduce stress, alleviate pain, and enhance overall well-being during treatment and recovery. The aim was to investigate pain experiences of patients receiving Qutenza therapy and the potential analgesic enhancement with the use of augmented reality (AR) intra treatment.

Methods: Data were collected on pain intensity, pain interference (PI) and quality of life (QoL) scores for 100 consecutive Qutenza application appointments and from the successive follow-up appointment two weeks afterwards. Analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel to identify the impact of the use of AR on patient reported outcomes (n=48) when compared to appointments where it was not utilised (n=52).

Results: Gamified AR resulted in a reduction on the numerical rating scale by 48.22% between pre- and post-treatment scores. There was a 34.4% increase on the NRS from pre-treatment to therapy completion without AR. There was a mean reduction by 41.97% in PI scores from pre-treatment to two weeks post therapy for those who used AR in comparison to 47.19% for those who did not. QoL scores improved by 66.36% from pre-treatment to follow-up for those who did not utilise AR in comparison to 71.43% improvement for those who did.

Conclusions: AR is a means of alternative analgesic enhancement for Qutenza related procedural pain. On follow-up, there was minimal difference between subgroups measurement tool results with a significant improvement in PI and QoL measures in both subgroups with the use of Qutenza for localised peripheral neuropathic pain.

Keywords: Augmented reality (AR); interference; pain; procedural; Qutenza