Using Virtual Reality to Manage Symptoms in Cancer Patients

Implementation of an At-Home Multimodal Integrative Therapy Via Virtual Reality for Patients With Cancer-Treatment Associated Symptoms

This study is testing whether a virtual reality program can help cancer patients feel better by reducing pain, fatigue, sleep problems, depression, and anxiety after their treatment.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 88 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore (other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 2 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06248216 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study explores the use of a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered through a Virtual Reality (VR) program to help manage chronic symptoms in cancer patients after treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a VR intervention or an audio intervention, engaging in their assigned program five times a week for five weeks. The study aims to collect pilot data on the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing pain, fatigue, sleep issues, depression, and anxiety. All procedures will take place over a ten-week period, including an initial enrollment visit and follow-up check-in calls.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-88 who have a verified cancer diagnosis and are experiencing chronic symptoms following their treatment.

Not a fit: Patients currently receiving hospice or palliative care, or those with severe psychiatric conditions, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients by alleviating debilitating symptoms associated with their treatment.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of VR for symptom management is a growing field, this specific approach combining MIT with VR is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults ages 18-88
* Cancer diagnosis (histology verified)
* Had surgical intervention, completed chemotherapy or radiation for therapeutic purposes

  -\>3 months since last cancer treatment, but participants currently undergoing endocrine or immunotherapy treatments are permissible
* Documented symptoms of cancer or cancer therapy including at least one of the following: pain, anxiety, sleep difficulty, fatigue, neuropathy
* English speaker (written and spoken)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, autism) leading to hospitalization within the last 3 years
* Any personal (or family first degree) history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses
* Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, neuropathy, fatigue, sleep or anxiety disorder prior to cancer diagnosis
* Current Hospice or palliative care only recipients
* Color-blindness
* Impaired or uncorrected hearing
* Lifetime alcohol/drug dependence or alcohol/drug abuse in past 3 months
* Conditions that would interfere with the VR mask placement (e.g. trauma, burn, infection)
* Known history of severe motion sickness
* Pregnancy or breast feeding

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations

• Luana Colloca — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (RECRUITING)
• University of Maryland — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Katia Matychak, MS

Conditions: Cancer, Cancer Pain, Virtual Reality