Effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) in the Management of Anxiety for Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in the Management of Anxiety for Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
54 participants
Jun 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use and functionality of virtual reality (VR) during radiation therapy treatments for patients with prostate, breast, lung, or head and neck cancer.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Patients:
- Participants planned for radiation therapy for 15 or more treatments with non-neutron generating energies (10 MV or less) per study PI for prostate, breast, lung, or head and neck cancer. Neutrons have the potential to damage the VR headset device and are generated for energies above 10 MV.
- Age 18 years or older at the time of consent.
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-3 at the time of enrollment.
- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent document directly.
- Agreement to participate after reviewing the information sheet
- Radiation therapist at AHWFBCCC High Point who has treated at least one participant who enrolled on to the study and used the VR device.
Exclusion Criteria8
- Previous radiation therapy
- VR device is determined to impede the radiation dosage during the VR device simulation and treatment planning
- Participants with primary brain tumors, brain metastases, and cancer involving the sinuses, orbits, nose, or ears, are excluded from this clinical trial because the VR device may obstruct the area being treated
- Participants with uncontrolled inter-current illness including but not limited to psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements per treating radiation oncologist.
- Participants with known epilepsy, significant motion sickness, severe uncorrected visual impairment, severe uncorrected hearing impairment, or seizures, per participant report.
- Participants with skin defects, infections, or open wounds in the area where the VR device is applied (face or scalp) or in the eyes per treating radiation oncologist.
- Participants with pacemakers, internal defibrillators, hearing aid, or other implanted medical device. The Meta Quest device contains magnets and components that emit magnetic/electromagnetic fields which could affect the operation of nearby electronics and medical devices.
- Radiation Therapists:
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Interventions
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, or head and neck cancer.
Participants will wear the VR headset (Meta Quest 2) during standard of care radiation therapy
Radiation therapists will be asked about their experiences and proficiency with using the VR device.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07324577