Virtual Reality for Hip Pain

Overseen By Jasmine galloway, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Minors, Pregnant, Prisoners, Seizures, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

70 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether virtual reality (VR) can manage pain after hip surgery more effectively than standard treatments. It compares the usual pain management routine, which includes medications like opioids, with the addition of immersive VR therapy. The goal is to determine if VR can improve patients' postoperative experiences. Adults undergoing elective hip arthroscopy, who have not found success with other treatments, are suitable candidates for this trial. Participants will use VR after their surgery and complete surveys before and after the procedure. As an unphased trial, this study provides patients the opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques beyond traditional methods.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on using virtual reality alongside standard pain management, which includes opioids and a local block, so it's likely you can continue your current medications.

What prior data suggests that immersive virtual reality is safe for postoperative pain management?

Research has shown that immersive virtual reality (iVR) is generally safe for managing post-surgical pain. A review found iVR both acceptable and practical for older adults recovering from surgery. Another study found that iVR can help reduce pain, anxiety, and stress in patients who have undergone hip surgeries. These studies reported no serious side effects, suggesting that iVR is well-tolerated.

In summary, current evidence supports the safety of iVR as a tool for managing post-surgical pain. It appears to be a promising addition to standard pain management methods. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality (VR) for managing hip pain because it offers a novel, non-invasive approach to pain relief. Unlike traditional pain management methods that often rely on medications like opioids and NSAIDs, VR therapy provides a drug-free alternative that could potentially minimize side effects and dependency risks. Additionally, VR therapy engages patients by immersing them in interactive environments, which can distract from pain and promote relaxation, potentially enhancing recovery post-surgery. This innovative technique could revolutionize pain management by offering faster, more enjoyable, and safer relief for patients recovering from hip surgery.

What evidence suggests that immersive virtual reality is effective for managing hip pain?

Research has shown that immersive virtual reality (iVR) can help manage pain after surgery. One study found that iVR immediately controlled pain and reduced the need for opioids, which are strong painkillers. Another study demonstrated that iVR can lower anxiety and help patients manage pain more effectively. In this trial, participants in the "Standard regimen + iVR Group" will receive postoperative iVR therapy alongside the standard multimodal pain regimen. These findings suggest that iVR could be a valuable addition to standard pain treatments after hip surgery. Overall, early results are promising for using iVR to enhance recovery experiences. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Karen Ladnier, MS

Principal Investigator

Cedar -Sinai Kerlan jobe orthopedic institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults of any age who have hip pain due to a condition that hasn't improved with non-surgical treatments. They must be scheduled for their first elective hip arthroscopy and willing to complete questionnaires before and after the surgery.

Inclusion Criteria

My hip condition did not improve with non-surgical treatments.

I am 18 or older with a hip condition.

I am scheduled for a first-time, planned hip surgery for my hip condition.

Exclusion Criteria

Prisoners

Do not complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires

Pregnant women

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-operative

Participants are consented, fill out pre-operative questionnaires, and are randomized into control or iVR therapy group

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Operative and Post-operative

Participants undergo hip arthroscopy, receive local field block, and iVR therapy in PACU. Pain, anxiety, and nausea are assessed.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete post-operative questionnaires and are monitored for pain management effectiveness

3 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Immersive Virtual Reality
• Standard pain management regimen

Trial Overview The study is testing if using immersive virtual reality (iVR) after hip surgery can better manage pain compared to standard methods like opioids and local anesthesia. Participants will use a head-mounted iVR device in the post-anesthesia care unit.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard regimen +iVR Group Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

postoperative iVR therapy in addition to the standard multimodal pain regimen (including a preoperative local field block

Group II: Standard regimen Active Control 1 Intervention

hip arthroscopy patients who receive only the standard regimen (including field block) in the acute postoperative ambulatory setting

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

523

Recruited

165,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Virtual reality (VR) therapies have shown promise in effectively distracting patients from both acute and chronic pain, suggesting a new approach to pain management beyond traditional methods like opioids and physical therapy.

Clinical studies indicate that VR can be beneficial for various pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain, by immersing patients in interactive environments that reduce their perception of pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality as a Clinical Tool for Pain Management. Pourmand, A., Davis, S., Marchak, A., et al.[2018]

Digital therapeutics, such as virtual reality apps, have been authorized by the FDA as effective treatments for chronic conditions like low back pain and can enhance the effectiveness of traditional medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

A review of randomized controlled trials showed that patients using digital interventions alongside opioid treatments generally reported better pain relief compared to those receiving standard care, highlighting the potential of these technologies in pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjunct Digital Interventions Improve Opioid-Based Pain Management: Impact of Virtual Reality and Mobile Applications on Patient-Centered Pharmacy Care. Giravi, HY., Biskupiak, Z., Tyler, LS., et al.[2022]

In a study of 106 adults recovering from hip arthroplasty, the use of virtual reality for relaxation and distraction did not significantly reduce postoperative pain or opioid consumption compared to a control group watching nature films.

The results showed no meaningful differences in pain scores or opioid requirements, indicating that the virtual reality program tested may not be an effective analgesic intervention in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality Distraction for Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain After Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Trial. Araujo-Duran, J., Kopac, O., Montalvo Campana, M., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 103 hospitalized patients, both standard animated CGI VR and Video Capture VR significantly reduced pain by about 50% compared to a waitlist control group, with effects maintained at follow-up.

While both VR types were equally effective in pain reduction, patients found Video Capture VR to be more realistic and enjoyable, suggesting it may enhance the overall experience of pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nonpharmacologic Pain Management Among Hospitalized Inpatients: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial of Standard Virtual Reality (CGI VR) Versus Video Capture VR (360 degrees 3D/Stereoscopic Video Capture VR). Powers, MB., Carl, E., Levihn-Coon, A., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 122 randomized controlled trials involving 9,138 patients found that virtual reality (VR) significantly reduces pain, with a standardized mean difference of -0.65, indicating a strong effect across various types of pain, including acute, chronic, and procedural.

The effectiveness of VR in pain management was particularly notable in younger patients and those experiencing moderate to severe pain, suggesting that VR could be a valuable tool for these groups, although the studies showed considerable variability and moderate to high risk of bias.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect modifiers of virtual reality in pain management: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Lier, EJ., de Vries, M., Steggink, EM., et al.[2023]

A case study demonstrated that immersive virtual reality (VR) significantly reduced pain intensity by 43% and anxiety by 43% during the removal of external fixator pins in a conscious patient, compared to standard care without VR.

Using VR as a non-pharmacologic analgesic not only improved patient satisfaction with pain management but also has the potential to lower opioid use and associated risks during outpatient orthopedic procedures.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case Report: Virtual Reality Analgesia in an Opioid Sparing Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic Setting: A Case Study. Firoozabadi, R., Elhaddad, M., Drever, S., et al.[2021]

Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be an effective tool for managing acute pain, with 83% of the studies reviewed reporting decreased pain intensity when using VR compared to non-VR methods.

The effectiveness of VR in pain management is likely due to its ability to distract patients, highlighting the importance of creating immersive and engaging VR experiences to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Therapeutics for Acute Pain Management. Dreesmann, NJ., Su, H., Thompson, HJ.[2023]

Virtual reality (VR) has been found to be an effective method for reducing both acute and chronic pain, with significant improvements in pain intensity (72.1%) and quality (75.0%) observed across 70 studies involving 4105 participants.

The primary mechanism of pain relief through VR is distraction, especially for acute pain, while embodiment is more commonly associated with chronic pain, indicating that different types of pain may benefit from tailored VR approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The State of Science in the Use of Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Scoping Review. Baker, NA., Polhemus, AH., Haan Ospina, E., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 30 participants with chronic pain, a virtual reality application called Cool! significantly reduced pain levels, with a 33% decrease from pre-session to post-session and a remarkable 60% reduction during the session.

All participants experienced some level of pain relief during the VR session, and 33% reported complete pain relief, suggesting that VR could be a promising non-opioid treatment option for chronic pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of Virtual Reality on Chronic Pain. Jones, T., Moore, T., Choo, J.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05868369

The Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Pain ... The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of administering a head-mounted immersive virtual reality (iVR) experience to control ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12185076/

Immersive Virtual Reality for Postoperative Pain Among ... This scoping review suggests that IVR for postoperative pain in older surgical adults holds potential as an acceptable and feasible intervention.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003960602400391X

Virtual reality for postsurgical pain management This study investigates the initial effectiveness and feasibility of self-administered virtual reality in postsurgical pain management. ... Data on outcomes and ...

4. jisakos.com jisakos.com/article/S2059-7754(25)00089-6/fulltext

Immersive Virtual Reality as Postoperative Therapy for ... Summary: Immersive virtual reality was associated with improved immediate pain control, decreased use of postoperative opioids, and less anxiety in patients ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10909914/

Virtual reality distraction for reducing acute postoperative ... We tested the hypothesis that a virtual reality program (AppliedVR, Los Angeles, CA) decreases acute postoperative pain and opioid requirements in patients ...

6. bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com bmcanesthesiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12871-025-03316-3

Effect of virtual reality on perioperative anxiety, stress and pain ... The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of VR on these outcomes in individuals undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods. This ...

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

Virtual Reality in Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: A Systematic ... VR interventions are safe and effective for chronic pain management in rehabilitation settings. Immersive and non-immersive techniques are used in VR ...