VR-based CBT for IBS: at-home treatment idea with guided virtual reality therapy
Official title: Clinical Impact and Feasibility of Virtual Reality (VR) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing VR Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Sham VR
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11357696 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot study will test whether a home-based VR cognitive behavioral therapy program helps people with irritable bowel syndrome feel better and manage symptoms compared with a sham VR experience.
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 | July 18, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $334,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140676-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357696 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with irritable bowel syndrome who can use a home VR setup and complete study assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the required VR equipment or those unable to complete home-based therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project pilot-tests a home-delivered virtual reality CBT program called IBS/VR over 8 weeks for adults with IBS. Participants are randomly assigned to active VR CBT or a sham VR control to see if real CBT benefits symptom control and quality of life. The study focuses on feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary signals of symptom improvement to guide future larger trials. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai will monitor adherence, user experience, and any changes in IBS-related stress and pain perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with IBS could access an engaging, at-home therapy that helps reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Prior CBT approaches for IBS show symptom relief; home-based VR delivery is a novel approach with promising feasibility data.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Almario, Christopher V — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Almario, Christopher V
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using virtual reality to help manage irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
This study is looking at whether a virtual reality program that offers therapy can help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their tummy pain and feel better overall, making it a convenient option for those who might not have easy access to traditional therapy.
-
Using virtual reality to help manage pain in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
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.
-
Using virtual reality to help manage chronic low back pain
This study is exploring how virtual reality can help adults with chronic low back pain feel better and move more, comparing it to regular pain treatments to see which works best for improving their daily lives.
-
Using virtual reality to help manage chronic low back pain
This study is exploring whether using virtual reality can help adults with chronic low back pain feel better and move more easily, comparing it to regular pain treatments like opioids, so you can see if this fun new approach might work for you!
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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.