A pilot randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility, acceptability and generate outcome domains for a future RCT testing the efficacy of immersive virtual reality on pain intensity in pediatric amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome.
Adolescents with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS) are invited to take part in this research project that studies two different audio-visual relaxation technologies in reducing amplified musculoskeletal pain. In addition, the investigators are interested in studying if they have an effect on some of the ways adolescents think about their pain and cope with it. Both of these technologies provide the user with a similar natural environment designed to have a calming effect, along with guided relaxation and soothing music. The adolescents will be assigned to use one of these for a total duration of about 10 minutes. Pain related outcomes including pain intensity, pain catastrophizing and self-efficacy to manage pain will be collected before and after the relaxation session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Happy Place as 'E' ('Everyone' or content suitable for all ages).
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Happy Place as 'E' ('Everyone' or content suitable for all ages).
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The Mean Change in Pain Intensity Reported on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
The VAS is a self-reported quantitative measure of pain intensity used commonly in clinical practice as well as in pain research. The VAS is a straight horizontal line of fixed length, usually 0 mm to 100 mm where 0 denotes 'no pain' and 100 denotes 'pain as bad as it could possibly be'. The participant marks a point on the line that they feel represents the perception of their current pain. The VAS score is then determined by measuring in millimeters from the left-hand end of the line to the point that the participant marks. The primary outcome measure is is the mean change in VAS from 5 minutes before the relaxation session to 5 minutes after the session.
Time frame: VAS will be administered at 5 minutes before the relaxation session, 5 minutes after the session and then at day 2 after the session in both groups.
Mean Change in Pain Catastrophizing Reported on Pain Catastrophizing Scale - Child (PCS-C)
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale -Child (PCS-C) is an adaptation of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale with established construct and predictive validity in 8-16 years old subjects. It is a self-report measure which includes 13 items about the thoughts and feelings experienced when a child is in pain. Respondents use a 5-point rating scale (where 0 = never to 4 = always), to indicate how often they experience each thought or feeling. The total score for the PCS equals 52, with a score above 24 indicating a high score. The lowest score can be 0. Higher score represents worse outcome. PCS-C scale has three sub-scales namely, rumination, magnification, and helplessness. The investigators will not assess the sub-scales as a part of this study. The outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in post-intervention score (assessed 5 minutes after the session) minus pre-intervention score (assessed 5 minuets before the session) for both groups with the 95% confidence interval.
Time frame: PCS-C will be administered at 5 minutes before the relaxation session, 5 minutes after the session and day 2 after the study.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.