Virtual Reality Mindfulness Training for Veterans with SCI and Chronic Pain
Official title: Exploring Virtual Reality Mindfulness Training for Veterans with SCI and Chronic Pain.
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11266157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mindfulness program delivered through virtual reality is being explored to help veterans with spinal cord injury live with less pain and better daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK1RX004813-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11266157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with spinal cord injury experiencing chronic pain who have access to VR equipment and can participate in virtual sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without SCI, not experiencing chronic pain, or without access to VR technology may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at using a virtual reality mindfulness program to help veterans who have spinal cord injury cope with chronic pain and improve quality of life. It aims to make mindfulness more accessible by delivering it through familiar VR technology. The team plans to assess how well veterans can engage with the VR program and what effects it may have on pain, mood, and daily activities. Results could guide future care options that bring more convenient, at-home treatment for chronic pain in SCI. The study is led by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans with SCI and chronic pain could have a convenient tool to reduce pain and improve participation in daily life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in non-SCI populations suggests VR mindfulness can reduce pain and improve function, but SCI-specific data are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Touchett, Hilary — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Touchett, Hilary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using virtual reality mindfulness to help veterans with spinal cord injuries and chronic pain.
This study is looking at how virtual reality can help veterans with spinal cord injuries and chronic pain learn mindfulness techniques to better manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
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-
Mindfulness and psilocybin for chronic back pain
A clinical study will explore how mindfulness training combined with a guided psilocybin experience may reduce pain for adults with chronic low back pain.
-
Mobile mindfulness app to help spinal cord injury patients manage chronic pain
A widely available mindfulness app is being tested to help people with spinal cord injury reduce chronic pain and improve mood and daily functioning.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
A non-drug program using mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis is being studied to help Americans aged 60 and up manage chronic pain.
-
Mindfulness and self-hypnosis to ease chronic pain in older adults
This project tests whether mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis can reduce chronic pain and change brain activity in people aged 60 and older.
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.