Virtual reality helping patients in chronic pain

Headsets aiding cancer patients and children undergoing care in public hospitals in Limerick and Galway

Anne Marie Kiernan, advanced nurse practitioner in pain medicine, at Croom Orthopedic Hospital, Limerick. Picture: Eamon Ward

Virtual reality has become part of how chronic pain is treated, including for patients in public hospitals in Limerick and Galway.

At Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, specialist nurse Anna Marie Kiernan has combined a digital approach with a transdermal pain management chilli pepper derivative patch to help cancer patients.