Virtual Reality for Cancer Pain

(VR-CAN Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Hunter Groninger, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medstar Health Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Seizures, Motion sickness, Non-cancer pain, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 weeks

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new virtual reality (VR) treatment called VR-CAN for individuals with chronic cancer pain. The goal is to determine if VR can help manage pain by immersing users in a calming environment, using cognitive behavioral therapy principles. Participants will either experience the VR treatment or use a similar program on a tablet for comparison. The study seeks individuals who have experienced cancer pain for at least three months and are currently undergoing cancer treatment. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques.

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 seems to focus on adding virtual reality therapy to your existing treatment.

What prior data suggests that this virtual reality device is safe for managing cancer pain?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) holds promise for managing cancer pain. Studies have found that VR can significantly reduce pain in cancer patients compared to traditional methods. For instance, in one study, patients using VR reported feeling less pain than those who did not use it.

Virtual reality helps by placing users in calming environments, distracting them from their pain. This method appears safe, as few reports of serious side effects exist, indicating most people tolerate it well.

So far, studies have not linked VR to major safety concerns. By focusing on something pleasant, the brain pays less attention to pain, making VR a potentially useful tool for those dealing with ongoing cancer pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Virtual Reality for Cancer Pain treatment because it uses immersive virtual reality (VR) technology to manage pain, offering a unique and innovative approach compared to traditional methods like medication and physical therapy. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on drugs with potential side effects, VR-CAN provides a non-invasive, drug-free option that patients can conveniently use at home. This method not only aims to reduce pain but also empowers patients by teaching behavioral skills for pain management, potentially enhancing their quality of life without the typical burdens of conventional therapies.

What evidence suggests that this virtual reality device is effective for cancer pain?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) can greatly reduce pain in cancer patients. Several studies have found that VR relieves pain more effectively than traditional methods. For example, a review of multiple studies found that VR experiences can lower pain and distress in cancer patients. Another study showed that VR reduced pain in patients receiving palliative care. In this trial, participants will receive either VR-CAN therapy or a tablet-based delivery of behavioral skills for pain management. This suggests that VR could be an effective non-drug option for managing chronic cancer pain. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with chronic cancer pain who have not found sufficient relief from standard pain medications. Participants should be comfortable using virtual reality and tablet technology, and willing to provide feedback on their experience.

Inclusion Criteria

I am at least 18 years old.

I am currently being treated for cancer.

I have had cancer pain for at least 3 months, with a pain level of at least 4 out of 10.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Prototype Development

Develop and refine a CBT-assisted VR prototype for patients with chronic cancer pain

Varies

Treatment

Participants use VR-CAN therapy or tablet-based intervention at home, 10 minutes per session, daily for 14 days

2 weeks

Daily home sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• VR-CAN

Trial Overview

The study tests a new virtual reality program (VR-CAN) that uses cognitive behavioral therapy principles against a control group using a two-dimensional tablet intervention. The goal is to see if VR can help manage chronic cancer pain better.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Virtual reality delivered behavioral skills for pain management Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants use VR-CAN therapy at home, 10 minutes per session, daily for 14 days

Group II: Tablet-based delivery of behavioral skills for pain management Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants use a two-dimensional skills-based intervention delivered by handheld tablet at home, 10 minutes per session, daily for 14 days

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medstar Health Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

202

Recruited

187,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12338295/

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 ...

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0885392425008061

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.35282

Virtual Reality for Pain Management in Cancer Patients

Among hospitalized adult patients with moderate-severe pain related to cancer and cancer therapies, VR provided more nonpharmacologic pain relief than active ...

4.

jpsmjournal.com

jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(23)00053-2/fulltext

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.

5.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04069702

Virtual Reality for Improving Pain and Distress in Patients ...

Recent evidence suggests Virtual Reality (VR) experiences can lead to reductions in acute pain; however, VR has not been tested in advanced cancer patients ...

6.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04572074

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 ...

7.

researchprotocols.org

researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e52649

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Reducing Perceived Pain ...

The purpose of this pilot project is to assess the efficacy of using VR as a distraction-based intervention for anxiety or pain management.