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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05793957

Use of Virtual Reality Goggles During Chemotherapy Infusion to Reduce Anxiety-Related Symptoms

This clinical trial evaluates the use of virtual reality (VR) goggles during chemotherapy infusion to reduce anxiety-related symptoms in patients with head and neck, thoracic, hematologic, and breast cancers. Virtual reality headsets provide the ability for users to explore a simulated, three-dimensional environment with which users can interact. In virtual reality users can play interactive games, enjoy relaxing experiences, and watch immersive videos. The use of VR goggles may help with anxiety management during chemotherapy infusion.

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Key information

Conditions

Hematopoietic and Lymphoid System Neoplasm Breast Diseases Breast Neoplasms Head and Neck Neoplasms Malignant Breast Neoplasm Malignant Head and Neck Neoplasm Malignant Solid Neoplasm Malignant Thoracic Neoplasm Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year–89 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the effectiveness of VR therapy in reducing severity of anxiety symptoms during chemotherapy infusion, compared to participants utilizing a smartphone as a control.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate whether there is a short-term effect of VR use in anxiety levels.

II. To assess participant satisfaction with their chemotherapy infusion experience in the control and treatment groups.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. To assess participants' reported adverse effects associated with VR headset use.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP 1: Patients use VR during chemotherapy infusion on study.

GROUP 2: Patients use smartphone during chemotherapy infusion on study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • English speaking: Ability to interact with virtual reality content may be impacted by inability to understand English; moreover, paper questionnaires will only be provided in English.
  • Older than 18 years of age, and younger than 89 years of age. All sexes/gender identities and members of all races and ethnic groups will be included.
  • Planned to receive chemotherapy infusion for head and neck, breast, thoracic, and hematologic cancers at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) South Waterfront Center for Health & Healing building 2 (there are no restrictions related to prior chemotherapy infusions or other cancer treatments).
  • Chemotherapy treatment lasting at least 10 minutes.
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

  • Social or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with compliance.
  • Reconstruction, incisions, wounds, wound care, or injury that impact the ability to place on the VR headset. This would limit the ability to utilize the VR headset.
  • History of seizure or epilepsy.
  • History of vertigo or persistent dizziness.
  • Use of cardiac pacemaker, requirement for hearing aid on at all times, or have defibrillators.
  • Children.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Decisionally impaired adults.
  • Prisoners.

Treatment and study plan

Questionnaire Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Telephone-Based Intervention

Behavioral

Use smartphone

Virtual Technology Intervention

Other

Use VR headset

Other names: Virtual Reality Intervention, Virtual Technology

Primary outcomes

  1. Difference in anxiety levels

    Time frame: Before the start of chemotherapy infusion and 30-minutes of virtual reality (VR)/smartphone use is completed

    Will be assessed in the treatment and control groups determined by the difference in the scores provided by the State Anxiety Inventory before and right after VR use. Range of scores is 20-80, the higher score indicating greater anxiety. Will be compared using two-sample t-test to compare the anxiety levels change before and after VR between intervention group and control group (VR vs control). The effect of VR on anxiety levels will be described using a linear regression model addressing the unanticipated imbalance between treatment groups after randomization adjusting for the confounder.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Short-term difference in anxiety levels

    Time frame: Before VR goggle use and immediately after chemotherapy infusion is complete

    Will be assessed by the difference in anxiety levels right before VR use and immediately after chemotherapy infusion is completed as provided by the State Anxiety Inventory using a two sample t-test. Range of scores is 20-80, with a higher score indicating greater anxiety.

  2. Participants' satisfaction with the VR device

    Time frame: Immediately after chemotherapy infusion is complete

    Will be assessed by an investigator-designed satisfaction questionnaire after chemotherapy completion to assess participants' satisfaction with the VR device using descriptive statistics to summarize this data.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

Other

Collaborators

  • Oregon Health and Science University

Registry information

Official study title

Anxiety in the Context of Chemotherapy Infusion: Is There an Association Between the Use of Virtual Reality Goggles and Changes in Anxiety-Related Symptoms?

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Mar 31, 2023
Registry last updated
Dec 19, 2023

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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