Virtual Reality for Palliative Care

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Prognosis over 1 year

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether virtual reality (VR Therapy) can reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional distress in people receiving palliative care. Participants will engage in a virtual reality experience for 10 to 30 minutes. It targets individuals with a terminal or end-stage condition, a life expectancy of about a year or less, and who are already receiving palliative care. Participants must be comfortable wearing VR equipment and able to communicate in English. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy options that may enhance quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that virtual reality is safe for palliative care patients?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) is generally easy for patients to handle. Various studies have found that VR helps reduce pain and ease uncomfortable symptoms in patients receiving palliative care, allowing many to use it without major side effects.

However, some emotional risks may arise. Certain studies found that VR could cause additional emotional stress if not used correctly. Despite these potential risks, other research has demonstrated that VR can be safe and practical for individuals with limited sensory, movement, or cognitive abilities.

Overall, while VR is mostly safe, individual reactions may vary. Monitoring each person's response is important to avoid any negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality for palliative care because it offers a unique way to improve the quality of life for patients with limited life expectancy. Unlike traditional methods such as medication and counseling, virtual reality provides an immersive experience that can offer moments of escape, relaxation, and emotional relief. This technology can transport patients to beautiful landscapes or safe and soothing environments, which can be especially comforting in their challenging times. By engaging and potentially uplifting patients in a novel way, virtual reality has the potential to complement existing palliative care methods and enhance overall patient well-being.

What evidence suggests that virtual reality is effective for reducing anxiety and depression in palliative care patients?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR), which participants in this trial will experience, can reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional distress in patients receiving palliative care. One review found that VR headsets helped manage these symptoms. Other studies suggest that VR could serve as a promising alternative to traditional pain management methods in palliative care. Reviews of patient experiences with VR therapy report positive outcomes and improved quality of life. Overall, VR is considered a helpful non-drug treatment option for emotional and physical relief in palliative care settings. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Chimere Bruning, PA-C

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for palliative care patients with a terminal condition and an expected lifespan of less than a year. They must be able to give consent, wear VR equipment, and speak English. People over 65 or without a prognosis of 1 year or less cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

English-speaking

Established palliative care patient

I can wear virtual reality equipment like goggles.

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of a prognosis of approximately 1 year or less

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Palliative care patients participate in a virtual reality experience for 10-30 minutes

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in emotional distress and anxiety post-intervention

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Reality

Trial Overview The study is testing if virtual reality can help reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional distress in people receiving palliative care. Participants will use VR technology as part of the intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Virtual reality intervention in palliative care patients Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Palliative care patients with a limited life expectancy will participate in a virtual reality experience for 10-30 minutes

Virtual Reality is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Virtual Reality Therapy for:

• Functional Dyspepsia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Gastroparesis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A pilot study involving 23 hospitalized patients in palliative care showed that a two-day virtual reality music therapy (VR-MT) intervention was feasible and well-received, with 17 participants completing the program.

Participants reported high usability and satisfaction, with 53% giving the highest satisfaction rating, indicating that VR-MT could provide positive emotional and physical responses for patients during serious illness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality-Based Music Therapy in Palliative Care: A Pilot Implementation Trial. Brungardt, A., Wibben, A., Tompkins, AF., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9319274/

Virtual Reality in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review - PMC Virtual reality (VR) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) has demonstrated to be an effective tool for treating various somatic and psychological symptoms.

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

Efficacy of Virtual Reality in Managing Pain for Patients ... Virtual reality offers a promising alternative for pain management in palliative care, highlighting the necessity for standardized protocols and ...

3. bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-024-01520-5

a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies - BMC Palliative Care This review of qualitative evidence aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of patients receiving VR therapy in palliative care.

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.1304155/full

Flourishing-Life-Of-Wish Virtual Reality Relaxation Therapy ... How effective is virtual reality technology in palliative care? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Palliat. Med. 36 (7), 1047–1058. doi ...

5. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e54452/

Using Virtual Reality to Improve Outcomes Related ... Background: Virtual reality (VR) has promise as an innovative nonpharmacologic treatment for improving a patient's quality of life.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11267777/

Experiences and perceptions of palliative care patients ... The findings indicated that VR therapy may be an effective approach to relieve patients' physical and psychological pain and help them gain self ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07214090

Pilot Study Evaluating the Therapeutic Effects of Passive ... The purpose is to assess the clinical effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) exposure as a way to relieve the distressing symptoms experienced by ...

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.1256641/full

A perspective on potential psychological risks and ... First, we observed that VR exposure may pose psychological risks, including additional emotional distress, to patients under palliative care if maladaptive ...

9. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10055-025-01181-6

Exploring the potential of virtual reality (VR) in mental ... (2020) demonstrated the feasibility and safety of immersive VR therapy for individuals with reduced sensory, mobility, and cognitive capacities.