Digital health company Harvard MedTech said data shows its virtuality reality therapy can reduce chronic pain and narcotic use while improving overall recovery for workers’ compensation patients.

Vx Therapy uses virtual reality to provide experiences that reduce feelings of pain while building new neural pathways. Virtual reality therapy is used at home and coupled with behavioral health intervention strategies that teach patients skills to lower pain and discomfort, the company said in a statement.

The company claims a recent study of 36 patients with chronic pain from workplace injuries shows Vx Therapy reduced pain levels by an average of 40% and that 69% of patients reported either a decrease in the use of opioids or that they stopped taking narcotic painkillers entirely.

"We’ve demonstrated that Vx Therapy reduces the risk of higher cost workers’ compensation claims, the likelihood of long-term claims due to pain and psychosocial problems, and the cost and risk of addiction to prescription medications or illegal drugs to control pain and mood,” Dr. Gerry Stanley, chief medical officer for Harvard MedTech, said in a statement.

Harvard MedTech is based in Las Vegas. The company is using virtual reality, psychosocial support and artificial intelligence to try to treat trauma, pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.