Using smartphone virtual reality to manage pain during burn care at home
Official title: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Smartphone Virtual Reality for Pain Management During Burn Care Transition
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-10894662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun smartphone virtual reality tool to help kids with burn injuries feel less pain during their dressing changes at home, making the experience easier and reducing the need for strong pain medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $365,884 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029183-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients recovering from burns who require dressing changes at home.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing burn care or do not require dressing changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a smartphone-based virtual reality tool designed to help manage pain during at-home dressing changes for pediatric burn patients. The study aims to determine whether this innovative VR Pain Alleviation Tool (VR-PAT) can significantly reduce pain and decrease the need for opioid medications. By focusing on the transition from medical settings to home care, the research seeks to enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes. Participants will engage with the VR-PAT during repeated dressing changes to assess its impact on pain levels and medication use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-invasive method for significantly reducing pain and reliance on opioids for children undergoing burn care at home.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using virtual reality for pain management, but this specific application of smartphone VR for at-home burn care is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiang, Henry — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Xiang, Henry
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Smartphone virtual reality to ease pain for kids during burn care at home
A smartphone-based virtual reality tool called VR-PAT is being tested to help children feel less pain and use fewer opioid medicines when they shift from hospital care to home burn dressing changes.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.