Using virtual reality to help manage pain in children with sickle cell disease

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Virtual reality options to help with VOC pain in adults with SCD

  This study tests whether headset-based virtual reality can help reduce pain for adults with sickle cell disease during vaso-occlusive crises treated in an infusion center.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.