Virtual Reality for Pain Management in Burn Patients
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
JD
Overseen byJoAnn Difede, PhD
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Disqualifiers: Cognitive disorder, Psychotic disorder, Bipolar I, Opioid abuse
No Placebo Group
Approved in 1 Jurisdiction
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests if using VR headsets can help reduce pain for adult burn patients by distracting them with virtual experiences. Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to reduce pain in various medical procedures, including burn wound care.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, participants will continue to receive opioids as part of the standard care.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality for pain management in burn patients?
Research shows that using Virtual Reality (VR) during physical therapy and wound care for burn patients can significantly reduce pain levels compared to not using VR. Patients reported less pain and spent less time thinking about their pain when VR was used, making it a helpful addition to traditional pain management methods.12345
Is virtual reality therapy safe for use in burn patients?
How does virtual reality treatment differ from other treatments for pain management in burn patients?
Virtual reality (VR) is unique because it provides an immersive experience that serves as a powerful distraction, reducing pain and anxiety during painful procedures like wound care, without relying on drugs. Unlike traditional pain management methods that primarily use medications like opioids, VR offers a non-drug alternative that can be used alongside medications to enhance pain relief.1891011
Research Team
JD
JoAnn Difede, PhD
Principal Investigator
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for burn patients aged 8 and older at New York Presbyterian who are awake, alert, can move on their own, have burns covering less than 15% of their body, and can consent to the study. It's not for those with certain cognitive or psychotic disorders or current opioid abuse.Inclusion Criteria
I don't need strong sedation for minor procedures like staple removal.
I am awake, alert, and able to walk.
Patients with a burn injury and is in the Burn Unit at New York Presbyterian
See 3 more
Exclusion Criteria
You have been diagnosed with a mental disorder like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or cognitive disorders in the past.
You are currently misusing opioids.
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1 week
Treatment
Participants receive either Virtual Reality intervention or standard care during painful procedures
Approximately 15 days
Daily visits during hospitalization
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in pain, narcotic dose, anxiolytic dose, anxiety, and depressive symptoms
2 weeks
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Virtual Reality (Behavioural Intervention)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if Virtual Reality (VR) can help manage pain during procedures like wound dressing changes in addition to standard care with opioids. Patients will be split into two groups: one receives VR plus standard care; the other only gets standard care.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Virtual RealityExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Virtual reality-enhanced distraction using a portable head mounted display during panful events (such as wound dressing changes or physical therapy sessions) in addition to standard of care.
Group II: Treatment as UsualActive Control1 Intervention
Standard of care during painful event (such as wound dressing changes or physical therapy sessions).
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Weill Cornell MedicineNew York, NY
Loading ...
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Lead Sponsor
Trials
1103
Patients Recruited
1,157,000+
References
The effectiveness of virtual reality on reducing pain and anxiety in burn injury patients: a systematic review. [2022]To systematically review the current evidence for the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR), in conjunction with pharmacologic analgesia on reducing pain and anxiety in burn injury patients undergoing wound dressing changes and physiotherapy management compared with pharmacologic analgesia alone or other forms of distraction.
The effect of virtual reality on pain and range of motion in adults with burn injuries. [2021]Few studies have empirically investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) on postburn physical therapy pain control and range of motion (ROM). We performed a prospective, randomized controlled study of the effects of adding VR to standard therapy in adults receiving active-assisted ROM physical therapy, by assessing pain scores and maximal joint ROM immediately before and after therapy on two consecutive days. Thirty-nine inpatients, aged 21 to 57 years (mean 35 years), with a mean TBSA burn of 18% (range, 3-60%) were studied using a within-subject, crossover design. All patients received their regular pretherapy pharmacologic analgesia regimen. During physical therapy sessions on two consecutive days (VR one day and no VR the other day; order randomized), each patient participated in active-assisted ROM exercises with an occupational or physical therapist. At the conclusion of each session, patients provided 0 to 100 Graphic Rating Scale measurements of pain after each 10-minute treatment condition. On the day with VR, patients wore a head-position-tracked, medical care environment-excluding VR helmet with stereophonic sound and interacted in a virtual environment conducive to burn care. ROM measurements for each joint exercised were recorded before and after each therapy session. Because of nonsignificant carryover and order effects, the data were analyzed using simple paired t-tests. VR reduced all Graphic Rating Scale pain scores (worst pain, time spent thinking about the pain, and pain unpleasantness by 27, 37, and 31% respectively), relative to the no VR condition. Average ROM improvement was slightly greater with the VR condition; however, this difference failed to reach clinical or statistical significance (P = .243). Ninety-seven percent of patients reported zero to mild nausea after the VR session. Immersive VR effectively reduced pain and did not impair ROM during postburn physical therapy. VR is easily used in the hospital setting and offers a safe, nonpharmacologic adjunctive analgesic treatment.
Feasibility and potential effect of a low-cost virtual reality system on reducing pain and anxiety in adult burn injury patients during physiotherapy in a developing country. [2019]The purpose of this study was to ascertain the feasibility and potential effect of a low-cost VR system (eMagin Z800 3DVisor), used in conjunction with pharmacological analgesia, on reducing pain and anxiety in adult burn patients undergoing physiotherapy treatment, compared to pharmacologic analgesia alone at a South African hospital.
Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions on Pain During Wound Care in Burn Patients; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]Burn patients undergo daily painful wound care procedures, including washing, debridement, and dressing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions on pain during wound care in burn patients.
Use of Virtual Reality in Burn Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. [2023]We systematically reviewed published clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) technology on functional improvement, pain relief, and reduction of mental distress among burn patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Water-friendly virtual reality pain control during wound care. [2019]Recent research suggests that entering an immersive virtual environment can serve as a powerful nonpharmacologic analgesic for severe burn pain. The present case study describes an attempt to use water-friendly virtual reality (VR) technology with a burn patient undergoing wound care in a hydrotherapy tub. The patient was a 40-year-old male with 19% total body surface area deep flame/flash burns to his legs, neck, back, and buttocks. The virtual reality treatment decreased the patient's sensory and affective pain ratings and decreased the amount of time spent thinking about his pain during wound care. We believe that VR analgesia works by drawing attention away from the wound care, leaving less attention available to process incoming pain signals. The water-friendly VR helmet dramatically increases the number of patients with severe burns that could potentially be treated with VR (see http://www.vrpain.com).
Mobile phone virtual reality game for pediatric home burn dressing pain management: a randomized feasibility clinical trial. [2023]Virtual reality (VR) gaming is considered a safe and effective alternative to standard pain alleviation in the hospital. This study addressed the potential effectiveness and feasibility of a VR game that was developed by our research team for repeated at-home burn dressing changes.
Combining ketamine and virtual reality pain control during severe burn wound care: one military and one civilian patient. [2021]US soldiers injured in Iraq, and civilian burn trauma patients are treated at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Burn patients experience extreme pain during wound care, and they typically receive opioid analgesics and anxiolytics for debridement. Virtual Reality (VR) has been applied as an adjunct to opioid analgesics for procedural pain. We describe the first use of ketamine combined with immersive VR to reduce excessive pain during wound care.
Applications of virtual reality for pain management in burn-injured patients. [2022]The pain associated with burn injuries is intense, unremitting and often exacerbated by anxiety, depression and other complicating patient factors. On top of this, modern burn care involves the repetitive performance - often on a daily basis for weeks to months - of painful and anxiety-provoking procedures that create additional treatment-related pain, such as wound care, dressing changes and rehabilitation activities. Pain management in burn patients is primarily achieved by potent pharmacologic analgesics (e.g., opioids), but is necessarily complemented by nonpharmacologic techniques, including distraction or hypnosis. Immersive virtual reality provides a particularly intense form of cognitive distraction during such brief, painful procedures, and has undergone preliminary study by several research groups treating burn patients over the past decade. Initial reports from these groups are consistent in suggesting that immersive virtual reality is logistically feasible, safe and effective in ameliorating the pain and anxiety experienced in various settings of post-burn pain. Furthermore, the technique appears applicable to a wide age range of patients and may be particularly well-adapted for use in children, one of the most challenging populations of burn victims to treat. However, confirmation and extension of these results in larger numbers of patients in various types of burn-related pain is necessary to more clearly define the specific benefits and limitations of virtual reality analgesia in the burn care setting.
Virtual reality: feasibility of implementation in a regional burn center. [2019]Burn care providers continue to search for non-pharmacologic adjuncts for pain control. Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be a useful adjunct by reducing pain during burn care and therapy. The feasibility of implementation for clinical use (non-research related) has not been studied in a burn center. The purpose of this study was to determine staff resources needed to implement VR in a regional burn center.
Virtual reality for acute pain reduction in adolescents undergoing burn wound care: a prospective randomized controlled trial. [2022]Effective pain management remains a challenge for adolescents during conscious burn wound care procedures. Virtual reality (VR) shows promise as a non-pharmacological adjunct in reducing pain.