Using virtual reality to help manage pain in children with sickle cell disease
Changing the View of Pain: Using Virtual Reality As Adjunctive Therapy for Sickle Cell Pain in Pediatric Patients
This study tests if using virtual reality can help children with sickle cell disease feel less pain during their hospital stays compared to just standard pain management.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT06773715 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality as an adjunct therapy for managing vaso-occlusive pain in children with sickle cell disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard pain management or standard management plus daily virtual reality experiences during their hospital stay. The study will assess pain severity and opioid consumption through surveys completed by the patients. By exploring this innovative approach, the researchers hope to enhance pain relief and patient satisfaction during painful episodes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 8 to 21 years who are admitted for vaso-occlusive pain crises related to sickle cell disease.
Not a fit: Patients with severe complications from sickle cell disease or those unable to use virtual reality equipment may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce pain and opioid use in children experiencing vaso-occlusive crises.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in medical settings has been explored, this specific application for sickle cell pain management is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patient ≥ 8 up to 21 years of age 2. Presenting to CHNOLA ER or outside facility with chief complaint of vaso-occlusive pain crisis, requiring inpatient admission for further pain management 3. No known cognitive or neurological deficits 4. Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients aged 7-years-old and younger. 2. Patents upon admission found to have sequela of their sickle cell disease that would require medical therapy greater than the standard of care for a vaso-occlusive pain event. This includes acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, post-operative pain, and/or cerebrovascular accident 3. Patients who are developmentally or cognitively incapable of using VR equipment and answering questions appropriately 4. Failure to obtain or refusal to provide parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate child assent 5. Patient has previously participated in the study 6. Study team is unable to initiate study interventions within the first 24 hours of a patient's admission
Where this trial is running
New Orleans, Louisiana
- Children's Hospital of New Orleans — New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Molly E Sonenklar, MD
- Email: msonen@lsuhsc.edu
- Phone: 504-896-9740
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.