Using virtual reality to help older trauma patients manage pain
Official title: Social Virtual Reality Experiences for Hospitalized Older Adult Trauma Patients to Reduce Pain
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10784719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how virtual reality experiences can help older adults in the hospital manage their pain without using opioids, starting with feedback from a small group of patients to make sure it fits their needs before testing it with a larger group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $78,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG080413-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10784719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who have been hospitalized due to trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not hospitalized or those under the age of 65 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of social virtual reality (SVR) experiences to help older adults hospitalized due to trauma manage their pain without relying on opioid medications. The study will first gather feedback from a small group of patients to refine the SVR experience, ensuring it meets their needs and preferences. Following this, a pilot study will assess how well the SVR approach works for a larger group of older patients, focusing on its feasibility, usability, and acceptability. The goal is to provide a nonpharmacologic alternative for pain management that could improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older trauma patients with an effective way to manage pain without the risks associated with opioid medications.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of virtual reality in healthcare is gaining traction, this specific application for older trauma patients is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Won, Andrea Stevenson — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Won, Andrea Stevenson
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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.