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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05836649

Impact of Passive VR Versus Active VR on Heat Pain Thresholds and Pressure Pain Thresholds

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).

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Key information

Conditions

Pain Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Mental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lucile Parkard Children's Hospital

Stanford, California, 94304, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • greater than 18 years of age
  • English speaking
  • hearing intact

Exclusion criteria

  • a history of severe motion sickness
  • currently have nausea
  • history of seizures
  • have hearing loss; are pregnant
  • are currently taking beta blockers, chronotropic heart medications, or opioids or other prescription pain medications
  • history of chronic pain or acute pain syndromes.

Treatment and study plan

Oculus Go headset without active intervention

Behavioral

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.

Oculus Go headset with active intervention

Behavioral

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.

Oculus Go headset without immersive virtual reality experience

Behavioral

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.

Oculus Go headset with immersive virtual reality experience

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in heat pain threshold

    Time frame: Duration of intervention, approximately 15 minutes

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in pressure pain threshold

    Time frame: Duration of intervention, approximately 15 minutes

    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.

  2. Change in recalled pain level

    Time frame: immediately after intervention, 24 hours after the intervention

    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.

  3. Change in lower recalled fear/anxiety level

    Time frame: immediately after intervention, 24 hours after the intervention

    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

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 1, 2023
Registry last updated
Jan 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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