AI-guided virtual reality meditation for pain and anxiety
Real Time Guided Meditations for Pain in Virtual Reality Study
This will test whether a 15-minute AI-guided meditation in virtual reality can reduce pain and anxiety for adults admitted to Cedars-Sinai who start with moderate or worse pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 38 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07122843 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center interventional pilot enrolls 38 adults admitted to Cedars-Sinai with a baseline pain score of 4 or higher to receive a standardized 15-minute VR guided meditation session. Participants complete pre- and post-intervention measures including the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (PNRS) and the STAI-6 anxiety measure, and investigators will record feasibility and patient acceptance. The VR experience immerses users in a nature scene of their choice while an LLM-powered AI guide personalizes guidance using age and intake pain information. Exclusion criteria include severe motion sickness, recent seizures, inability to wear the headset, non-English/Spanish speakers, and pregnancy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) admitted to Cedars-Sinai who completed the Inpatient Pain Service intake, speak English or Spanish, and report a baseline pain score of 4 or higher are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with severe motion sickness, recent seizures, inability to wear a VR headset or corrective-lens limitations, those who are pregnant, or those with minimal baseline pain (<4) are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a quick, nonpharmacologic way to reduce pain and anxiety for hospitalized patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior VR and guided-meditation programs have shown promise for reducing pain and anxiety, but using a real-time LLM-generated AI guide in VR is relatively novel and less tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18+ years of age * Individuals who are admitted to CSMC and who have completed the Inpatient Pain Service Center intake form. * Participants must speak one of the program's supported languages (currently English and Spanish) * Minimum pain score of 4 out 10 on baseline pain survey Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling and/or unable to participate * Does not understand English or Spanish * Self-reported history of severe motion sickness * The presence of a facial/head deformity that will prohibit the wearing of a VR HMD * Those that require corrective lenses -2.5 or stronger that cannot be corrected with contact lenses * Legally deaf * Having had a seizure in the past year * Unable to understand the instructions or to consent to participation in the study * Those who are pregnant
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christopher V Almario, MD, MSHPM — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ella F Tetrault, BS
- Email: ella.tetrault@cshs.org
- Phone: 4243151311
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.