Navigating virtual realities: identifying barriers and facilitators to implementing VR-enhanced PT for youth with chronic pain.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Virtual reality (VR) can enhance engagement in outpatient physical therapy (PT) through distraction and gamification of movement. This study assessed barriers and facilitators to VR-enhanced PT.

Method

Data were collected during a feasibility trial of VR-enhanced PT for youth with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Semistructured and informal interviews were conducted with youth participants, their caregivers, and collaborating physical therapists. To analyze transcriptions, content analysis was employed in multiple rounds. Barriers and facilitators to VR implementation were coded using a deductive approach, then an inductive approach was used to identify emergent themes within each deductive code category.

Results

We completed interviews with youth participants

SUBMITTER: Jehl NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11753872 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature