RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05744336

Impact of Virtual Reality on Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Interventional Procedures

Assessing the Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality Experience on Injection-related Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Interventional Pain Spine Procedures: a Prospective Randomized Trial


Sponsor

Northwestern University

Enrollment

64 participants

Start Date

Mar 12, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Summary

Periprocedural anxiety is a common problem for patients who undergo interventional pain procedures. Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive experience that has gained acceptance in the medical field as a tool for reducing anxiety and pain for patients.Research Aim: To evaluate the effect of immersive virtual reality (VR) on periprocedural anxiety related to therapeutic cervical epidural steroid injections (ESI). The investigators hypothesize that immersive virtual reality will result in a clinically meaningful anxiety reduction, defined as the proportion of participants with \> 50% reduction in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) anxiety scores when compared to participants in the non-treatment group who will have standard preprocedural waiting time conditions in clinic, but no VR experience. Similarly, the investigators hypothesize a significant reduction in objective sympathetic tone as measured by skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA).


Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 80 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether using a virtual reality (VR) headset before a neck injection procedure helps reduce anxiety. Researchers want to know if watching a calming VR experience before a cervical epidural steroid injection makes patients less anxious than simply waiting. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18–80 years old - You have neck pain and your doctor has recommended a cervical epidural steroid injection (a guided needle injection into the neck to relieve pain) - You have never had a cervical epidural steroid injection before - You did not take any sedatives before or during the procedure **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have an uncontrolled anxiety disorder or untreated psychiatric condition - You have Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or significant memory problems - You are currently taking benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax) - You have severe motion sickness, seizures, or significant vision loss - You are not an English speaker - You have a current infection or are taking antibiotics for one Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERGroup 1 Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)

Participants in Group 1 Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) participants wear the device covering their eyes. The viewing experience will include calming nature sounds for between 15-20 minutes before their planned plain clinic procedure

OTHERGroup 2 Control Group

Group 2 control group participants have no preprocedural intervention. Standard clinic waiting conditions for 15-20 minutes before their planned pain clinic procedure.


Locations(1)

Anesthesiology Pain Medicine Center

Chicago, Illinois, United States

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NCT05744336


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