Abstract
<jats:p>Background. The integration of immersive technologies into medical practice demonstrates, on the one hand, significant therapeutic potential; however, issues of methodological justification, associated risks, and limitations remain insufficiently studied. The impact of virtual reality (VR) technologies on pain reduction has been relatively well researched, whereas their effect on the motivational sphere has been underexplored, including in such a problematic area as the treatment of patients with chronic back pain. Objective: To identify the psychological mechanisms of motivational changes induced by VR intervention in patients with chronic back pain, with differentiation by the type of pain syndrome (nociceptive/mixed). Methods: In a randomized controlled trial (n=82), using psychodiagnostic tools, the effect of VR intervention on motivation and pain intensity was analyzed, differentiated by pain type (nociceptive/mixed), in comparison with the use of psychocorrective methods such as art therapy and the "Patient School". Results: A dual positive effect of VR was identified: an analgesic effect – a significant reduction in pain for both types; and a motivational effect – optimization of the motivational profile. In mixed pain, VR technologies reduced initially inflated indicators to a realistic level, while in nociceptive pain, they increased motivation, smoothing out intergroup differences after the intervention. VR technologies proved to be particularly significant for patients with mixed pain due to the specifics of intrapsychic processing of sensory information. Conclusions: A sequential (rather than parallel) inclusion of immersive technologies and structured methods ("Patient School") in rehabilitation is recommended.</jats:p>