Virtual Reality for Cancer Pain
(DISCOVR Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether virtual reality (VR) can help manage chronic pain in cancer patients. The goal is to create a VR experience that reduces pain and lessens the need for pain medications like opioids. The trial seeks participants who have lived with cancer, experienced moderate to severe pain for over three months, and currently use opioids for pain management. Participants should not have conditions such as severe motion sickness or epilepsy that would make VR use difficult. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management solutions.
What prior data suggests that this virtual reality therapy is safe for cancer pain management?
Research shows that virtual reality (VR) therapy is generally well-received for managing pain in cancer patients. Studies have demonstrated that VR can significantly lessen pain, making it a promising option for those with ongoing cancer pain.
For instance, one study found that using VR led to a noticeable decrease in pain compared to traditional methods. Another review of ten studies highlighted VR's ability to relieve pain in palliative care, which supports people with serious illnesses.
Additionally, VR reduces anxiety and improves mood and sleep quality, enhancing overall well-being. These findings suggest that VR therapy is not only safe but also effective in improving the quality of life for cancer patients experiencing pain.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Virtual Reality Pain Therapy is unique because it offers a non-drug alternative for managing cancer pain, which is typically treated with medications like opioids and NSAIDs. Unlike these traditional treatments, which can have significant side effects and risk of dependency, virtual reality aims to alleviate pain by immersing patients in an engaging, digital environment that distracts from discomfort. Researchers are excited about this approach because it could provide effective pain relief without the side effects of medication, offering a safer and more sustainable option for patients.
What evidence suggests that virtual reality is effective for cancer pain?
Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) can help reduce pain in cancer patients. Reviews of multiple studies indicate that VR treatments lower pain levels more effectively than traditional methods. This trial will evaluate Virtual Reality Pain Therapy as an experimental treatment for managing pain in cancer patients. Specifically, studies have found VR useful for managing pain in patients receiving palliative care, which aims to ease symptoms and improve quality of life. For cancer patients in the hospital, VR provided more pain relief without drugs than other active treatments. Overall, VR shows promise as a tool to help manage cancer-related pain and enhance patients' quality of life.12567
Who Is on the Research Team?
Hunter Groninger, MD
Principal Investigator
Medstar Health Research Institute
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 18 with any type of solid tumor cancer who have been experiencing moderate to severe chronic pain (score ≥4/10) for at least three months and are currently prescribed opioids for pain management.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants use the VR headset daily for at least 10 minutes to manage cancer pain
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Virtual Reality Pain Therapy
Trial Overview
The DISCOVR Study is testing a virtual reality therapy designed to manage chronic cancer pain. The goal is to see if this technology can improve quality of life and potentially reduce the need for opioid medications in managing pain.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Medstar Health Research Institute
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
Citations
Effect of virtual reality on pain in oncology patients
Meta-analyses have demonstrated that VR-based interventions significantly reduce pain intensity in cancer patients compared to conventional ...
Efficacy of Virtual Reality in Managing Pain for Patients ...
The analysis of ten trials demonstrated VR's capability to significantly reduce pain intensity in palliative care. The pooled effect size showed ...
3.
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.35282Virtual reality for pain management in hospitalized patients ...
Among hospitalized adult patients with moderate-severe pain related to cancer and cancer therapies, VR provided more nonpharmacologic pain relief than active ...
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This study aimed to assess the effects of VR-based interventions on anxiety, pain, depression, fear, distress, and quality of life in cancer patients.
NCT04572074 | Virtual Reality for Cancer Pain Management
The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the impact of virtual reality therapy on mitigating cancer pain in hospitalized patients with cancer and ...
6.
ons.org
ons.org/publications-research/cjon/29/1/effects-virtual-reality-pain-stress-and-affect-outpatientEffects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Stress, and Affect in an ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of VR on pain, stress, and affect in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
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 ...
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