Preventing chronic pain from getting worse using a virtual reality self-management program
Preventive Interventions for Chronic Pain Worsening
This project will test whether a home-based virtual reality pain self-management program can reduce pain for adults in Denmark who have had non-cancer chronic pain for three months or more.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 44 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rigshospitalet, Denmark Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Copenhagen, København Ø.) |
| Trial ID | NCT06351046 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This open-label randomized controlled trial will enroll 44 Danish-speaking adults with non-cancer chronic pain (≥3 months) and average pain ≥3/10, randomizing them 1:1 to a virtual reality–based pain self-management (VRPS) program or usual care. The intervention delivers cognitive-behavioral–style pain regulation strategies through home VR sessions, with remote participation requiring internet access. Outcomes are patient-reported and include worst pain in the last 24 hours as the primary endpoint at two months post-intervention, with additional follow-ups at 6, 9, and 12 months. Secondary measures include pain interference, catastrophizing, acceptance, quality of life, mood, medication use, and healthcare utilization.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with non-cancer chronic pain lasting at least three months, average pain ≥3/10, fluent in Danish, with internet access and not currently in specialized multidisciplinary pain treatment are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with epilepsy or seizure history, severe motion sensitivity or hypersensitivity to flashing light, eye/face/neck injuries that prevent VR use, active cancer, diagnosed major depression, cognitive dysfunction, pregnancy, lack of internet access, or current specialized pain treatment are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the VR program could reduce pain intensity and improve patients' ability to self-manage pain without adding medications.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller trials and pilot studies of VR for pain have shown short-term reductions in pain and improved engagement, but robust long-term evidence for chronic non-cancer pain remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years old * Fluent in the Danish language * Complaint of pain lasting 3 months or more; in average pain intensity score ≥ 3 (numerical rating scale 0 to 10) * Access to internet * Willing and available to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Specialized or multidisciplinary pain treatment at baseline * History of epilepsy * Seizure disorder * History of nausea or dizziness * Hypersensitivity to flashing light or motion or other diseases that may prevent use of virtual reality equipment. * Injury to eyes, face or neck that impedes comfortable use of virtual reality equipment. * Current cancer disease * Medical diagnosis of depression * Cognitive dysfunction that interferers with compliance to the study, * Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period * No access to the internet during the study period.
Where this trial is running
Copenhagen, København Ø.
- Rigshospitalet — Copenhagen, København Ø., Denmark (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Geana Kurita, PhD — Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Study coordinator: Geana Kurita, PhD
- Email: geana.kurita@regionh.dk
- Phone: 35454797
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.