Using virtual reality to help manage pain in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Virtual Reality for GI Cancer Pain to Improve Patient Reported Outcomes
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11067805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how virtual reality can help people with severe abdominal pain from digestive tract cancers feel better and improve their quality of life by using VR goggles to experience relaxing environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $591,720 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA252211-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers who experience severe abdominal pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancer-related abdominal pain or those who do not experience significant pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) as a treatment for severe abdominal pain experienced by patients with digestive tract cancers. By wearing VR goggles, patients can immerse themselves in lifelike, three-dimensional environments that may help alleviate their pain and improve their overall quality of life. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of VR in reducing pain and enhancing patient-reported outcomes compared to traditional pain management methods. Participants will engage in VR sessions as part of their pain management plan, providing valuable data on its impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-opioid alternative for managing cancer-related abdominal pain, improving patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results for the use of virtual reality in managing pain, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spiegel, Brennan — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Spiegel, Brennan
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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.