Pain Medicine: social interaction in VR increases pain tolerance.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered that social interaction in virtual reality (VR) can enhance pain tolerance. Their work is published in Pain Medicine.
The study involved 70 students who were asked to keep their hand on a heating device until the heat became unbearable. The experiment was conducted in four variations: interacting with a friend or relative in VR, talking to them via video call, interacting with a stranger in VR, and being alone in VR.
Participants demonstrated the greatest pain tolerance specifically in virtual reality during interactions — both with close ones and with strangers. This confirms that the combination of immersion and social engagement reduces pain perception more effectively than video calls or solitary presence in VR.
The authors note that the results could form the basis for new pain relief methods in clinics. Virtual reality can not only distract the patient but also create an important sense of presence and support, making it a promising tool for medicine.
