Social Interaction in Virtual Reality Enhances Pain Tolerance

Virtual reality (VR) has long been utilized in pain management, especially to distract hospitalized patients from their discomfort. Traditionally, this technology has offered a solo experience aimed at focusing the patient's attention away from pain. However, recent research from Cornell University has expanded this understanding by exploring how social interactions within VR can influence pain perception.

Researchers at Cornell's Virtual Embodiment Lab, led by Associate Professor Andrea Stevenson Won, conducted a study to investigate the effects of social virtual reality (SVR) on pain thresholds. The study involved 70 primarily Cornell students who experienced induced thermal pain—placing their hand on a device that gradually increased in temperature until the pain became intolerable. Participants engaged in four different conditions: interacting with a companion (such as a friend or family member) in VR, connecting with a stranger in VR, conferencing with a companion through Zoom, or being alone in VR.

The findings revealed that participants generally tolerated more pain when engaging with others in VR compared to the other conditions. Interestingly, some participants reported they could endure more pain when they felt more present and involved during VR interactions. This result contradicts prior assumptions that increased immersion naturally leads to reduced pain, suggesting that social engagement may have a unique role in pain perception.

The study builds on previous work from 2020, where participants interacted with strangers in VR while experiencing increasing pain. This new research further emphasizes the potential of VR not just as a distraction tool but as a medium that fosters social connectedness, which can influence pain thresholds.

Lead researcher Isabelle McLeod Daphnis highlighted the novelty of studying social interaction within VR in relation to pain. "Until now, nobody had examined the effects of engaging with another person in virtual reality on pain outcomes," she explained.

The study's insights could have significant implications for clinical pain management, especially in settings requiring pain distraction and mental engagement. The researchers suggest that incorporating social elements into VR therapies could enhance their effectiveness in reducing perceived pain.

The research team included several co-authors, such as graduate students and faculty from various fields, and involved numerous undergraduates in the project, which contributed to its comprehensive approach and valuable educational experience.

This research underscores the evolving role of social interaction in virtual environments and its potential to improve pain management strategies. It opens new avenues for exploring how digital social engagement can be harnessed for therapeutic benefits.

Source: MedicalXpress

Published in: Pain Medicine, October 2025