Randomized Controlled Trial of Virtual Reality Assisted Guided Imagery (VRAGI) for Pain in Advanced Cancer Patients.
Cancer Pain, Oncology, Virtual Reality
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Cancer Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- > 18 years of age
- Advanced cancer, defined as cancer that is incurable including locally advanced and metastatic cancers, with no plan for resection during the study period.
- Baseline pain score Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) ≥ 4 (mean score during the screening week).
- Able to provide consent and willing to comply with all study procedures, as well as comprehend spoken and written English.
- Have access to a compatible Android, iOS smartphone, personal laptop, or desktop computer (excluding tablets) to complete surveys and respond to emails
Exclusion Criteria:
- Have a condition that interferes with VR usage including history of seizure, facial injury precluding safe placement of an HMD, or other visual or hearing impairment that impacts ability to participate.
- Participated in a previous VR clinical study.
- Underwent a surgical procedure within 8 weeks.
- Have a neurocognitive disorder according to past medical history.
- Have brain metastases.
- Have a prognosis of <3 months from the time of enrollment per treating oncologist.
- Experience current substance abuse.
- Experienced complex childhood trauma.
- Diagnosed with serious mental illness.
- >65 years of age
Sites / Locations
- Clemson University
- Watermark Counseling
- Prisma Health
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
Virtual Reality Assisted Guided Imagery (VRAGI )
Virtual Reality No Guided Imagery or other audio ( VR No GI or other audio)
Laptop Assisted Guided Imagery (Laptop AGI)
Laptop no Guided Imagery or other audio (Laptop no GI or other audio)
20 participants will be randomized to this arm. Participants in this arm will experience the immersive VR guided imagery on VR Head Mounted Displays (Meta Quest 2). They will experience video content and the accompanying guided imagery and nature soundscapes.
20 participants will be randomized to this arm. Participants in this arm will experience the immersive VR visual content on VR Head Mounted Displays (Meta Quest 2) but will not experience the accompanying guided imagery narration or nature soundscapes.
20 participants will be randomized to this arm. Participants in this arm will experience the VR content on laptops. They will not receive the VRHMDs. They will experience video content and the accompanying guided imagery and nature soundscapes on a laptop.
20 participants will be randomized to this arm. Participants in this arm will experience the VR content on laptops. They will not receive the VRHMDs. They will experience only the video content on a laptop and will no experience the accompanying guided imagery or nature soundscapes.