VR-enhanced progressive muscle relaxation for chronic symptoms after burn injury
Virtual Reality-Enhanced Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Symptom Management in Burn Survivors
This will try progressive muscle relaxation with and without virtual reality to see if it helps adult burn survivors reduce chronic pain, itch, anxiety, sleep problems, or fatigue.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 34 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT07317271 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial uses a randomized crossover design in which adult burn survivors self-administer home-based sessions of standard progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and VR-enhanced PMR in randomized sequence. Participants complete repeated symptom reports (pain, itch, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fatigue) and measures of feasibility and acceptability. Interventions are delivered remotely using a smartphone or computer and a headset for the VR condition, with most activities performed at home. Outcomes compare symptom change between the two conditions to determine whether adding VR enhances PMR’s effects.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a prior burn injury (≥6 months post-injury), who report clinically meaningful symptoms (BPI pain severity ≥3, PROMIS itch ≥55, or ISI ≥8), own a smartphone or computer with internet, and can comfortably wear a VR headset are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with cognitive impairment, a history of motion sickness or photosensitivity, claustrophobia, uncorrected visual or hearing impairments, non-English speakers, or those unable to wear a headset or access the internet are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a scalable, non-drug, home-based option to reduce chronic post-burn pain, itch, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows VR can reduce acute burn pain and PMR helps chronic symptoms, but combining VR with PMR for chronic post-burn symptoms is relatively novel and has limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria are: * ≥18 years old; * sustained a burn injury in the last 6 months or longer; * Score high on at least one of the following: Insomnia severity index (ISI) score of ≥8, Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) Pain severity score of ≥3, or PROMIS Itch Severity of ≥55; * own a smartphone or computer with reliable internet connection for online visits and survey completion; * able to comfortably wear goggles or headsets on face as determined by self-report. Exclusion criteria: * Cognitive impairment (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) \< 25); * history of motion sickness, photosensitivity, photoinduced seizures, and claustrophobia as determined by self-report; * uncorrected visual or hearing impairments as determined by self-report; * non-English speaker.
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sheera Lerman Zohar, PhD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Lynn Nakad, PhD, RN
- Email: lnakad1@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-550-9056
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.