在中国长沙这家医院里，VR眼镜成了“心理止痛药”

A patient with cirrhosis practices ''virtual therapy'' with a VR headset after developing typical ''ICU syndrome,'' where physical weakness exacerbates psychological distress. Photo: Courtesy of The First Hospital of Changsha

A hospital in Central China's Hunan Province has introduced virtual reality (VR) therapy in its infectious diseases hepatology wards, using immersive technology to help patients manage mental distress. More than 30 cases have reported positive outcomes with customized VR content now under development to further enhance treatment, the Global Times learned from the hospital on Tuesday.

3月25日，《环球时报》从中国中部湖南省的一家医院了解到，其感染科肝病病区引入了虚拟现实（VR）疗法，利用沉浸式技术帮助患者缓解精神压力。目前，该院已有30多位患者通过VR疗法取得了不错的效果，医院正在开发定制化的VR内容，进一步优化疗效。

According to the public relations department of The First Hospital of Changsha hospital, the VR therapy works by lowering stress hormone levels as patients are immersed in soothing virtual environments, allowing the brain to partially suppress pain signals. The method has proven especially effective for bedridden patients and those receiving long-term treatment.

据长沙市第一医院宣传部介绍，VR疗法的作用机制在于，当患者沉浸于舒缓的虚拟场景中时，身体分泌的压力激素会减少，疼痛信号会被大脑“忽略”一部分。实践证明，这对于长期卧床、治疗周期长的患者尤为有效。

"When the VR headset is activated, the ward transforms into highly realistic and soothing scenes — a sunny beach, a forest filled with birdsong, or a snowy mountain or hot spring," Kong Jinling, a head nurse of the hospital's infectious diseases department, told the Global Times. The therapy incorporates psychological techniques such as narrative therapy, breath control, mindfulness, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and hypnosis.

“患者戴上VR头显启动设备后，病房瞬间就能变成极为极其真实并让人放松的场景，比如阳光灿烂的海滩、鸟鸣阵阵的森林，又或是雪山温泉。” 感染科护士长孔金玲向《环球时报》介绍道。她还表示，这种疗法融合了叙事疗法、呼吸松弛训练、正念疗法、冥想疗法、渐进式肌肉放松训练和催眠等多种心理治疗技术，通过多维度的干预，帮助患者舒缓身心。

Kong noted that one cirrhosis patient with ICU syndrome - where physical weakness worsens mental distress - who underwent 30-minute daily VR therapy sessions. After two weeks of treatment, the patient saw stabilized blood pressure and heart rate, improved sleep and reduced infection markers.

孔金玲介绍，曾有位肝硬化患者因出现典型“ICU综合征”——身体越虚弱，心理越崩溃，于是每天接受30分钟的VR疗愈。在经过两周的治疗后，其血压与心率趋于平稳，夜间睡眠状况得到改善，原本波动的感染指标也显著下降。

Patients in infectious disease wards often face recurring symptoms like fever, infections and bleeding, compounded by isolation, anxiety and fear of losing social connection. Prolonged hospitalization has become a tough mental and physical ordeal, said Kong.

孔金玲表示，传染病患者常常要与发热、感染、出血等反复出现的生理病痛抗争，同时还要承受隔离带来的影响，深陷失去社交联系的焦虑和恐惧。对他们来说，漫长的住院治疗犹如一场身心俱疲的“持久战”。

Inspired by international research and case studies, the hospital launched the VR intervention program as a clinical psychological tool. The therapy has since expanded across various scenarios: Fever patients interact with penguins in Arctic landscapes, pain sufferers stroll beside lotus-filled lakes, and those undergoing procedures like paracentesis watch calming animations to ease tension.

受国际研究和案例的启发，长沙市第一医院推出了VR干预项目，将其作为一种临床心理治疗工具，并已扩展应用于多种场景：高烧患者可“置身”北极与企鹅互动；疼痛难忍者能“漫步”荷花湖畔；甚至在进行腹穿、置管等侵入性操作时，患者也可通过观看VR动画分散注意力，降低紧张感。

"Since May 2024, more than 30 patients have undergone VR therapy with positive feedback overall," Kong said.

“自2024年5月以来，已有30多名患者接受了VR治疗，总体反馈良好。”孔金玲表示。

Still, challenges remain. Some elderly patients experience dizziness, while the critically ill may lack stamina for extended sessions. "We're optimizing solutions -adjusting scene dynamics, customizing content, and shortening duration," Kong said.

尽管如此，该疗法仍有改善空间，如部分老年患者在使用过程中易出现眩晕，危重患者体力难以支撑长时间使用。对此，孔金玲表示：“科室也正在探索调整场景动态、为患者定制内容、缩短治疗时长等优化方案。”

The organic integration of psychological intervention with VR technology this time is an effective attempt, the nursing department of the hospital told the Global Times. "After the success in the infectious diseases department, the hospital will next promote it in other departments such as intensive care medicine, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and infection immunology, providing patients with more effective and comfortable psychological support."

该院护理部向《环球时报》表示，此次心理干预与VR技术的有机结合是一次有效尝试。“在感染科取得成功后，医院接下来将在重症医学科、康复医学科、骨科、神经外科以及感染免疫科等其他科室推广这一疗法，为患者提供更有效、更舒适的心理疗法支持。”