This is a prospective, crossover study of healthy participants evaluating the impact of passive vs. active virtual reality (VR) games on heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT).
Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging, non-pharmaceutical intervention used to reduce perceived pain and anxiety in patients. VR's effect on pain and anxiety on patients is well-studied as is how VR games improve recalled pain and anxiety in pediatric burn and bone-fracture patients undergoing painful medical procedures. However, how differences in VR application construction (such as passive play vs. active play) impact patient perception of pain and anxiety is not well understood. In this study, we will measure the impact of passive vs. active VR applications on heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT), and immediate vs. recalled pain and anxiety levels.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
265
VR software with non-interactive content. Heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) depends on the HPT limits test or PPT limits test.
Participant will engage with the game display on the VR headset. Heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) depends on the HPT limits test or PPT limits test.
VR headset does not display any immersive virtual reality content. Heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) depends on the HPT limits test or PPT limits test.
Lucile Parkard Children's Hospital
Stanford, California, United States
Change in heat pain threshold
Heat pain threshold measured by the TSA Air II device. Temperature ranges from 32 degrees C to 50 degrees C, with higher temperatures indicating a higher heat pain threshold.
Time frame: Duration of intervention, approximately 15 minutes
Change in pressure pain threshold
Pressure pain threshold measured by a computerized pressure pain algometer. Pressure ranges from 0 kPa to 1000 kPa, with higher pressures indicating a higher pressure pain threshold.
Time frame: Duration of intervention, approximately 15 minutes
Change in recalled pain level
Recalled pain level measured by a numerical rating scale (NRS) from 0-10. Scale ranges from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher pain levels.
Time frame: immediately after intervention, 24 hours after the intervention
Change in lower recalled fear/anxiety level
Fear/anxiety level measure by the anxiety scale. This scale ranges from 0-10, 0 meaning no anxiety and 10 indicating extreme or worst-possible anxiety
Time frame: immediately after intervention, 24 hours after the intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
VR headset displays immersive virtual reality content. Heat pain threshold (HPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) depends on the HPT limits test or PPT limits test.