Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Pain

(PRVR Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Nicole Jehl, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Psychosis, Seizure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6-12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how virtual reality (VR) can aid adolescents with ongoing musculoskeletal pain, such as chronic back or limb pain, by supplementing traditional physiotherapy. Researchers aim to determine if VR games during therapy can enhance physical function and reduce pain-related fear. Participants will use VR headsets during therapy sessions and at home to boost their rehabilitation exercises. The trial seeks 10 to 17-year-olds with chronic musculoskeletal pain who speak English and do not have conditions that would interfere with VR use, such as seizures or significant visual impairments. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could transform pain management for young people.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this virtual reality therapy is safe for adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain?

A previous study found virtual reality (VR) treatments safe and effective for managing long-term pain. Research shows that VR can reduce pain without major side effects. Most people tolerate VR well, though some may experience mild discomfort like dizziness or nausea, which typically resolves quickly. VR's use in other rehabilitation types demonstrates its tolerance as a tool. This suggests that Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) could be a safe option for those with ongoing muscle and joint pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are buzzing about Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) for chronic pain because it takes a cutting-edge approach to physical therapy. Unlike traditional methods, which might involve standard exercises and manual therapies, PRVR uses virtual reality to make rehabilitation more engaging and personalized. Patients get to immerse themselves in interactive games tailored to their specific therapy needs, which could make sticking to a rehab program a lot more fun and effective. Plus, with the VR headset, patients can continue their exercises at home, integrating therapy into their daily lives more seamlessly. This innovative method has the potential to transform how patients manage chronic pain by making therapy not just a task, but an experience.

What evidence suggests that Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) is effective for chronic pain?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) treatments can help reduce chronic pain. Studies have found that VR can significantly lower pain levels, anxiety, and the impact of pain on daily life. In one study, 60% of participants experienced a meaningful decrease in pain with VR. Additionally, VR improves mood and sleep quality, making it a promising non-drug option for managing chronic pain. In this trial, participants in the Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) arm will use VR as part of their treatment, which has demonstrated better results than traditional methods, highlighting its potential in pain management. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Laura Simons, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adolescents aged 10 to 17 who suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as back or limb pain not caused by recent injuries like sprains or fractures. It's not suitable for those with significant cognitive impairments, serious medical or psychiatric conditions that could interfere, or issues that prevent safe use of VR (like seizures, facial injuries, visual or severe hearing impairments).

Inclusion Criteria

English Language Proficiency

I am between 10 and 17 years old.

I have ongoing muscle or joint pain not caused by a recent injury.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any severe mental health issues that could affect my participation.

You have a condition that makes it difficult for you to use virtual reality, such as a history of seizures, facial injury, trouble seeing, or trouble hearing.

You have a serious problem with your thinking and memory, like a brain injury.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in pain rehabilitation virtual reality (PRVR) with standard physiotherapy treatment, including functional goal setting and progressive exercise, over 6-12 weeks.

6-12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR)
• Standard Physiotherapy Rehabilitation (SPR)

Trial Overview The study tests the Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) program combined with standard physiotherapy treatments in young people. The goal is to see if VR can help improve physical function and reduce fear related to their chronic pain.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete VR in PT to engage participants in a series of immersive games customized to align with individual PT needs delivered over \~6-12 weeks or until clinician believes the patient is done with treatment. Patients in the PRVR arm will be given a structured HEP to practice prescribed exercises at home with integrated VR activities. PRVR participants will be allocated a VR headset for use in PT sessions and with HEP. VR will supplement treatment and be used in session (either in-person or telehealth) and at home as part of their prescribed treatment homework.

Group II: Standard Physiotherapy Rehabilitation (SPR) Active Control 1 Intervention

Sessions are individually-tailored and based on the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice 3.0 consisting of 1) therapeutic exercise, 2) balance and proprioception, 3) strength training, and 4) use of modalities (e.g., heat/cold pack). Patients will be given a structured Home Exercise Program (HEP) with prescribed exercises for home. SPR participants will be allocated a VR headset for recreational use.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Collaborator

Trials

508

Recruited

1,090,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39965778/

Virtual Reality Interventions and Chronic Pain: Scoping ... Virtual reality (VR) interventions have demonstrated efficacy for more than a decade for mood and anxiety disorders and emerging evidence suggests they can ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949761223000834

In-Home Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Lower Back ... RelieVRx is highly effective with 60% of participants yielding a clinically meaningful reduction in pain intensity, interference, or both.

3. scientificarchives.com scientificarchives.com/article/virtual-reality-in-chronic-pain-rehabilitation-a-systematic-review

Virtual Reality in Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: A Systematic ... VR group showed significantly better results than group A. Significant intra-group improvement in terms of pain and disability with VR showing significant more ...

4. cedars-sinai.org cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/new-study-shows-value-of-virtual-reality-for-pain-management/

New Study Shows Value of Virtual Reality for Pain ... "Our results support previous research that VR can meaningfully reduce pain using a nonaddictive, drug-free treatment for people experience a ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01553-x

Telehealth virtual reality intervention reduces chronic pain ... VR significantly reduced pain intensity, anxiety, and pain interference while improving mood and sleep quality. Findings highlight the potential ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04636177

Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR): Innovations to ... There are three types of violations: Failure to submit required clinical trial information; Submission of false or misleading clinical trial information ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9131143/

Virtual Reality Applications in Chronic Pain Management This systematic review revealed a broad range of outcome variables influenced by an intervention of VR technology, with statistically significant pain relief ...

8. trials.arthritis.org trials.arthritis.org/trials/NCT04636177

Pain Rehabilitation Virtual Reality (PRVR) - Clinical Trial Finder The proposed research is a single arm feasibility trial of pain rehabilitation virtual reality (PRVR) aimed at measuring feasibility, acceptability and utility ...

9. jmir.org jmir.org/2023/1/e40044/

Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain Management Among ... This review aims to examine the extent to which usability of VR for chronic pain management has been studied within historically marginalized patient groups.