VR Guided Meditation for Pain and Anxiety
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests virtual reality (VR) guided meditation to determine its effectiveness in reducing pain and anxiety in patients. Participants will wear a VR headset and engage in a calming, nature-themed meditation led by an AI guide. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of this VR approach, gather patient feedback, and identify areas for improvement. Suitable candidates have a pain score of at least 4 out of 10, are admitted to the hospital, and speak English or Spanish. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join 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 VR guided meditation is safe for pain and anxiety management?
Research has shown that using virtual reality (VR) for guided meditation is generally safe for managing pain and anxiety. Studies indicate that VR sessions, which include soothing images and breathing exercises, are easy to handle and have few side effects. For instance, one review found that VR effectively reduced pain in various situations, such as during medical procedures and for ongoing pain. Another study suggested that VR can safely help reduce anxiety and pain, especially in intensive care settings. Overall, these findings suggest that VR could be a safe option for managing pain and anxiety.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about VR Guided Meditation for pain and anxiety because it offers a unique, immersive experience that differentiates it from traditional treatments like medication or talk therapy. Unlike standard options, this treatment uses a VR headset to transport patients to a calming, virtual environment where an AI guide leads them through personalized meditation. This innovative approach may help patients manage pain and anxiety more effectively by promoting deep relaxation and focus, potentially offering quick relief without the side effects associated with some medications.
What evidence suggests that VR Guided Meditation is effective for pain and anxiety?
Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) for guided meditation can reduce pain and anxiety. One study found that mindfulness techniques using VR greatly improved mindfulness and stress levels, with VR users experiencing more benefits than others. Another study demonstrated that VR sessions significantly lowered anxiety scores, from an average of 19.29 to 9.43. Additionally, VR has proven to be a practical and effective way to manage pain and anxiety, especially for older adults. In this trial, participants will engage in VR-guided meditation, which may help them feel more relaxed and less anxious or in pain.35678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Christopher V Almario, MD, MSHPM
Principal Investigator
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals experiencing chronic pain after surgery, or those dealing with pain and anxiety, including anxiety disorders. Participants should be open to using virtual reality (VR) technology for guided meditation as a form of treatment.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants engage in a 15-minute VR guided meditation session with pre and post-intervention surveys
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in pain and anxiety levels after the VR session
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- VR Guided Meditation
Trial Overview
The study tests the effectiveness of VR-guided meditation on reducing pain and anxiety levels. It measures changes before and after the session using specific scales (PNRS & STAI-6) and evaluates how well patients accept this high-tech therapy approach.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Patients will wear a VR headset for approximately 15 minutes. The headset fully covers the eyes, immersing users in a calming, 3D virtual environment. Once the headset is on, patients will engage in a guided meditation experience, set in a nature-themed scene of their choice; options include a lake, beach, mountains, desert, forest, space, and more. An AI-powered guide will lead the meditation, offering real-time, personalized support based on the patient's age and the pain-related information provided during the hospital intake process. The AI is designed to promote relaxation by helping patients focus, breathe deeply, and feel more at ease. The intervention will be standardized for all participants, with each receiving the same duration of exposure in the VR headset and access to an identical selection of nature scenes. The patients will fill our pre and post intervention pain and anxiety surveys. The pre and post surveys will take between 5-10 minutes each to complete.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Christopher Almario
Lead Sponsor
Citations
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality–Based Mindfulness ...
The results showed that both interventions led to significant improvements in mindfulness, stress, and affect, with the VR group showing greater ...
Study Details | NCT07122843 | VR AI Meditation for Pain
This study aims to assess changes in pain and anxiety as reported by the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (PNRS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 6 (STAI-6), ...
Effects of virtual reality on pain and anxiety in older adults
This paper reports findings on the feasibility and efficacy of interventions delivered through VR to reduce pain and/or anxiety among older patients.
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.
Evaluation on the Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality (VR ...
Pre-intervention anxiety scores (M = 19.29, SD = 6.82) were significantly higher than post-intervention scores (M = 9.43, SD = 4.89), with a statistically ...
The benefits and safety of a virtual reality intervention in ...
The selected VR session integrates guided imagery and breathing techniques, designed with the expectation of rapidly reducing pain and anxiety.
Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review
This umbrella review demonstrates successful application of virtual reality in pain control, including perioperative, periprocedural, and chronic pain settings.
The impact of virtual reality interventions on stress and ...
The minimal side effects reported suggest that VR can be a safe adjunct therapy for alleviating anxiety and pain, common issues in ICU settings. For ...
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