Virtual reality has become part of how chronic pain is treated, including for patients in public hospitals in Limerick and Galway. “These would be patients who’ve had chemotherapy and have pain in their hands and feet after it; with diabetes or people who had shingles; people who have chronic regional pain syndrome,” said Ms Kiernan. The clinical nurse specialist in pain medicine tried different ways to distract patients, including ice-packs, music, or talking, to little avail. Digital options, including virtual reality — the user wears a headset and nothing they see is real — or augmented reality —the user sees digital content laid on reality, similar to Snapchat filters — were her next thought. Meanwhile, at University Hospital Galway, virtual reality headsets are used in the children’s unit to tackle anxiety or fear.

Source: Irish Examiner January 12, 2026 01:01 UTC