# Virtual Reality as a Opioid Sparing Intervention for Acute Postoperative Pain Management

> **NIH NIH R44** · APPLIEDVR, INC. · 2020 · $764,724

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Millions of Americans undergo surgery each year with fewer than half of patients reporting adequate
postoperative pain relief and approximately 75% reporting moderate to severe postoperative pain. Gaps in
postoperative pain management that lead to the unnecessary introduction and over-prescription of opioids
continue to exacerbate the opioid crisis. Data from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that
even a single day of opioid therapy can predict up to a 6% increase in the risk of the patient developing a
dependency within a year. appliedVR plans to combine its existing success with Virtual Reality (VR)-based
technology to provide acute perioperative pain management through a new software-based VR medical
device, RelieVRx™. In Phase I, we developed therapeutic virtual reality content focused on strategies for
substance abuse. RelieVRx is intended to prevent the onset of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) via enhanced
opioid sparing techniques. Initial clinical studies have shown our content has reduced patient’s pain scores not
only while the patient is actively utilizing the device, but also following the treatment. In Phase II, we will
improve the functionality of the device, conduct two clinical trials to validate the use of RelieVRx™ for pain
management after total hip or knee arthroplasty, and prepare a report of our findings to the FDA for class 2
SaMD clearance. In Aim 1, we will optimize the backend infrastructure (e.g., storage, access to data, delivery
of content) of the RelieVRx™ platform to improve content storage, distribution and FDA-compliant data
collection. In Aims 2 and 3, we will conduct two 100 patient trials to assess the efficacy of RelieVRx for acute
pain management after total hip or knee arthroplasty in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and Geisinger
Health System, respectively. Lastly, in Aim 4, we will prepare the materials/reports garnered through our
studies for a de novo submission to the FDA for class 2 SaMD clearance. Over $13 billion in annual healthcare
dollars go to treating addiction associated with postoperative pain management. Annually an estimated 2.6
million people undergoing surgery will become persistent opioid users. As a non-opioid alternative intended to
reduce postoperative pain and reduce the need for and utilization of opioids in the postoperative setting,
RelieVRx stands to change the course of the opioid epidemic and dramatically improve the state of surgical
outcomes for millions of patients, doctors, and caregivers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10025175
- **Project number:** 5R44DA049640-03
- **Recipient organization:** APPLIEDVR, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Sabry Ayad
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $764,724
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10025175

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10025175, Virtual Reality as a Opioid Sparing Intervention for Acute Postoperative Pain Management (5R44DA049640-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10025175. Licensed CC0.

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