During the past 18-months the Pain Rehabilitation Team and Digital Futures at TSDFT have worked with around 50 patients, all with differing physical challenges resulting from chronic pain, or suffering with severe anxiety, to test a range of VR products to assess their benefit with the hope of finding alternative solutions to treatment and combat these conditions.

Physiotherapist Phillipa Newton-Cross, the service lead for the Pain Rehabilitation Team, said: ‘We are the only NHS Trust in the country who are using CUREO VR therapy software to offer patients an alternative solution to chronic pain rehabilitation. For the past two years we have been exploring how we can improve the lives of patients using methods that avoid medication and promote movement and wellbeing by using VR immersive therapy.

‘We have run one-to-one VR clinics with patients and have found some incredible results and benefits to health, including alternatives to medicated pain relief, and how new technology can help patients suffering from chronic pain, long-term health conditions, anxiety and low mood in new and innovative ways.

‘This is bespoke software, and we feel very fortunate to be the only NHS Setting in the UK that is using this particular therapy software to help people living with chronic pain.'

Trust chairman Chris Balch added: ‘Our physiotherapy teams are taking this portable technology into people's homes to help patients manage chronic pain, meaning you don't have to travel into a hospital setting. This is better for a lot of people as they get to work on their condition but in a location where they feel comfortable.

He added: ‘This type of cutting-edge healthcare using VR technology, examining how we can tackle pain and anxiety through non-medicated pathways and within the patients home absolutely supports the future aspirations of the NHS. I am so proud of the Pain Rehabilitation Team for their energy and passion in driving this technology forward for the good of our patients.'

The team is also currently undertaking a 12-week trial with ROHKEA VR which is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy and movement therapy that helps patients engage more with meaningful activities despite chronic pain. This is taking place with patients who are using VR headsets and ROHKEA software to manage pain and tackle anxiety, but using this form of treatment daily within their own homes.