Using virtual reality meditation to relieve cancer pain
Study With Cancer Patients at the CECON Foundation's Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Service: Meditation With Immersive Virtual Reality for Pain Relief
This study is testing whether virtual reality meditation can help cancer patients manage their chronic pain and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 129 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia Do Estado Do Amazonas Research network |
| Locations | 1 site (Manaus, Amazonas) |
| Trial ID | NCT06328751 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study explores the use of immersive virtual reality to facilitate meditation practices among cancer patients experiencing chronic pain. It involves a randomized controlled trial with 129 participants divided into three groups: an experimental group using VR meditation, an active control group using a mobile phone for meditation, and a passive control group. Participants will undergo assessments of their quality of life, psychological well-being, and pain levels before and after the intervention. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of virtual reality meditation in improving pain management and overall quality of life for cancer patients.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are cancer patients aged 18 to 75 who are experiencing chronic pain and are receiving care at the Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Service.
Not a fit: Patients with serious psychiatric illnesses or those unable to understand or communicate effectively may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel, non-invasive method for managing cancer pain and enhancing the quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in pain management is gaining interest, this specific approach combining VR with meditation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be followed up at the Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Service (STDCP) to control symptoms resulting from any type of cancer at any stage; * Have a diagnosis of chronic pain, recorded in the medical records. * Be between 18 and 75 years old on the date of the first collection; * Be able to understand Portuguese (read and write); * Have normal vision and hearing; * Have a cell phone with an Android system; * Be able to make head movements and have sufficient motor control to make body movements; * Agree to take part in the study and sign the Informed Consent Form (ICF). Exclusion Criteria: * Indigenous patients (due to cultural and linguistic peculiarities and special legislation); * Patients with records of serious psychiatric illnesses (DSM-5 - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - schizophrenia, schizotypal disorders, delusional disorders, borderline and dementias); * Impairment of the ability to understand or communicate based on the researcher's assessment; * Report of discomfort with the use of Immersive Virtual Reality; * Progression of the disease with limitation in maintaining the proposed regular outpatient visits; * Patients with brain tumors, brain metastases or a previous history of seizures.
Where this trial is running
Manaus, Amazonas
- Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas - FCECON — Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Emily S Montarroyos — Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas (FCECON)
- Study coordinator: Emily S Montarroyos
- Email: emilymontarroyos@hotmail.com
- Phone: +55 (92) 988024440
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.