Virtual reality to reduce acute pain from orthopedic fractures in hospitalized patients
Virtual Reality in Reducing Acute Orthopedic Pain
This project will test whether virtual reality can reduce pain and opioid use for people hospitalized with fractures.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mayo Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Jacksonville, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT06624969 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional program offers hospitalized patients with orthopedic fractures access to virtual reality sessions as a nonpharmacologic adjunct for pain control. The primary aim is to demonstrate feasibility and sustainability of a hospital-based VR service line and to identify operational limitations for future improvements. Secondary outcomes include hospital length of stay, total morphine-equivalent opioid use during admission, and patient-reported user experience. The intervention is delivered to eligible patients at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are hospitalized adults with orthopedic fractures who can give informed consent, use a VR headset (no severe motion sickness or recent seizures), and speak English.
Not a fit: Patients who are non-English speakers, have severe motion sickness, recent seizures, head or facial deformities preventing headset use, legal blindness or deafness, or unstable neurologic disorders may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower pain levels, reduce opioid consumption, and shorten hospital stays for fracture patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior smaller studies have shown VR can reduce acute and procedural pain and decrease opioid needs in some settings, but creating a durable hospital-wide VR service line is relatively untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Hospitalized with an orthopedic fracture 2. Able to participate fully in all aspects of the study 3. Able to understand and sign informed consent 4. Individuals with unaided vision or those who can correct their vision using contact lenses Exclusion Criteria: 5. Non-English speaking 6. Self-reported history of acute and/or chronic severe motion sickness 7. The presence of a facial/head deformity that will prohibit the wearing of a VR head mounted display. 8. Legally blind or deaf 9. Have had a seizure within the past 1 year 10. Have current (within the past 30 days) clinically significant acute or chronic progressive or unstable/uncontrolled neurologic disorder 11. Have a known history of any condition or factor judged by the investigator to preclude participation in the study or which might hinder adherence
Where this trial is running
Jacksonville, Florida
- Mayo Clinic Hospital — Jacksonville, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Scott Helgeson, MD — Mayo Clinic
- Study coordinator: Scott Helgeson, MD
- Email: helgeson.scott@mayo.edu
- Phone: 904-953-2000
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.