Virtual Reality in Reducing Pain and Anxiety in Cancer Participants Undergoing Painful Procedures

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Malignant Neoplasm

• Registration Number: NCT03568292
• Lead Sponsor: University of Southern California

Brief Summary

This trial studies how well virtual reality (VR) works in reducing pain and anxiety in cancer participants undergoing bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture. Virtual reality may impact pain and anxiety during and after the procedure.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the feasibility of VR in patients undergoing procedural intervention.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To estimate differences between the two arms in terms of pain and anxiety. II. To document any adverse events that could possibly be attributed to the VR intervention.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. Explore the use of biomarkers as a tool to reflect the impact of intervention.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Participants undergo VR intervention peri-procedure (bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture) lasting until completion of the procedure.

ARM II: Participants receive standard of care during procedure (bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-06-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-06-14
• Study First Posted: 2018-06-26
• Study Start: 2022-03-01
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-10
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-11
• Primary Completion: 2026-03-01
• Study Completion: 2027-03-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient has been diagnosed with any cancer
• Patient is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment for a primary or secondary cancer at University of Southern California (USC) Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital
• Patient is undergoing a bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture

Exclusion Criteria

• Inability to sign informed assent and/or consent
• Patient with an underlying diagnosis of epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson?s disease, primary central nervous system malignancy, brain metastasis, underlying inflammatory or infectious central nervous system disorder, inner ear infection, history of vertigo, baseline visual or hearing impairment, macular degeneration, untreated glaucoma, implantable medical devices or any medical condition that investigator deems contraindicated
• Patient with an underlying chronic pain disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, or other psychiatric illness unspecified
• Patient with active Clostridium difficile infection
• Patient on any acute (within last < 24 hour [hr]) or chronic pain medication (opioid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID], steroid)
• Patient on chronic steroids > 10 mg prednisone equivalent daily or other immunosuppressant > 1 week
• Patient who is post bone marrow transplant
• Patient with a body mass index (BMI) > 35

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Anxiety	Up to 1 year	Will be assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
Pain as assessed according to a visual analog scale (VAS)	Up to 1 year	A visual analogue pain scale is a validated pain measure. A 10 centimeter horizontal line with a 0 (no pain) on the far left and 10 (worst possible pain) on the far right. Participants rate pain intensity by drawing a mark on the line. Pain intensity is obtained by measuring from the 0 to the participant's mark on the line, yielding a score from 0 to 10.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States