30 Participants Needed

Virtual Reality Therapy for Cancer-Related Symptoms

Recruiting at 1 trial location
KM
Overseen ByKatia Matychak, MS
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

We propose an innovative approach to symptom management in cancer patients following cancer treatments, utilizing a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) program, authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for in-home use. Our primary goal is to generate pilot data on the effects of MIT-VR program on pain, fatigue, sleep, depression, and anxiety in participants suffering from chronic cancer symptoms following cancer treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it allows participants who are currently undergoing endocrine or immunotherapy treatments.

How is Virtual Reality Therapy different from other treatments for cancer-related symptoms?

Virtual Reality Therapy is unique because it uses immersive technology to create a virtual environment that helps distract patients from pain and anxiety, offering a non-drug approach to symptom management. Unlike traditional treatments, it provides an engaging experience that can improve mood and reduce discomfort during cancer care.12345

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality Therapy for cancer-related symptoms?

Research shows that virtual reality therapy can significantly reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and pain in cancer patients. It has also been effective in managing pain and improving the range of motion in patients with burn injuries, suggesting its potential benefits for other conditions as well.23678

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer patients dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, sleep issues, or anxiety after their treatments. Participants should be comfortable using a Virtual Reality (VR) program at home and have symptoms that persist following cancer therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

It's been over 3 months since my last cancer treatment.
I experience pain, anxiety, sleep issues, fatigue, or neuropathy due to my cancer or its treatment.
I can speak and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria

Any personal (or family first degree) history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses
I am currently receiving only hospice or palliative care.
Color-blindness
See 7 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

Enrollment

Participants complete baseline surveys and receive instructions about the intervention

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants engage in either virtual reality or audio interventions at home for five weeks

10 weeks
5 sessions per week (at home), check-in phone calls as needed

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Virtual Reality Therapy
Trial Overview The study tests a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered through VR called Relievrx, designed to manage symptoms like pain and anxiety in post-treatment cancer patients. The effectiveness of this FDA-authorized home-use program will be evaluated.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Virtual reality armExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Audio Mp4 armPlacebo Group1 Intervention

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

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Virtual Reality Therapy for:

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Lead Sponsor

Trials
729
Recruited
540,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Virtual reality (VR) interventions have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue in cancer patients, based on a meta-analysis of 6 studies.
The findings suggest that while VR is effective for managing acute symptoms during cancer treatment, further research is needed to explore its benefits for long-term side effects in cancer survivorship care.
Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Cancer-Related Symptom Management.Zeng, Y., Zhang, JE., Cheng, ASK., et al.[2020]
The study demonstrated that a 30-minute virtual reality session in an underwater environment significantly reduced pain by 59% and improved relaxation, tension, stress, anxiety, and mood in 20 patients with advanced colorectal cancer, indicating its potential as a non-pharmacological pain management tool.
All participants completed the VR session without significant side effects, showing high satisfaction (83%), which supports the feasibility and safety of using virtual reality for pain relief in this patient population.
Virtual reality for improving pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer: A pilot trial to test feasibility and acceptability.Kelleher, SA., Fisher, HM., Winger, JG., et al.[2022]
A systematic review of nine studies on the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) for pain and anxiety management in cancer patients showed a trend towards improvement, but only two studies demonstrated statistically significant results.
The current evidence is inconclusive due to methodological limitations and small sample sizes, highlighting the need for further research to better understand the effectiveness of VR in this context.
Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy in Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Cancer-Related Medical Procedures: A Systematic Narrative Review.Chow, H., Hon, J., Chua, W., et al.[2021]

Citations

Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Cancer-Related Symptom Management. [2020]
Virtual reality for improving pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer: A pilot trial to test feasibility and acceptability. [2022]
Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy in Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Cancer-Related Medical Procedures: A Systematic Narrative Review. [2021]
Efficacy of virtual reality-based interventions for patients with breast cancer symptom and rehabilitation management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]
The effect of virtual reality on pain and range of motion in adults with burn injuries. [2021]
Use of virtual reality for symptom management in solid-tumor patients with implications for primary brain tumor research: a systematic review. [2022]
Virtual Reality in Home Palliative Care: Brief Report on the Effect on Cancer-Related Symptomatology. [2021]
Virtual reality: a distraction intervention for chemotherapy. [2018]
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