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OpenTrials
Enrolling by Invitation

NCT Number: NCT05673551

VR-PAT During Home Burn Dressings - Multisite

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of smartphone Virtual Reality Pain Alleviation Therapy (VR-PAT) as a pain distraction tool during repeated at-home burn dressing changes among 100 children (age 6-17 years) with a burn injury in comparison to 100 children with a burn injury who do not use the VR-PAT.

Enrolling by Invitation

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Key information

About this study

In this two-group randomized clinical trial, participants will be randomly assigned to either the VR-PAT intervention group or control group (standard distraction techniques available in the home). Participants and caregivers in both groups will perform daily burn dressing changes (as prescribed by their physician) and afterward will answer questions about their pain and any medications used. Participants and caregivers in the intervention group will answer additional questions about their experience using the VR-PAT, ease of use, and helpfulness. Surveys will be repeated with each dressing changes for one week.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being treated for acute burn injury
  • Age 6-17 years, inclusive
  • Receiving their first outpatient clinic dressing change or being discharged from the ED or inpatient burn unit
  • Have a dressing that requires daily changes at home for at least 7 days after their first outpatient appointment or discharge from the hospital (ED or inpatient)
  • Patient and family caregivers can communicate (read and write) using English or Spanish
  • Reported at least moderate or worse NRS pain score of ≥3 (NRS 0-10 with 10 being worst pain) from the most recent dressing change.

Exclusion criteria

  • Any wounds that may interfere with study procedures
  • Vision, hearing, or cognitive/motor impairments preventing valid administration of study measures
  • History of motion sickness, seizure disorder, dizziness, or migraine headaches precipitated by visual auras
  • Minors in foster care, prisoners, or currently pregnant
  • Suspected child abuse
  • Families who do not have access to a VR compatible smartphone.

Treatment and study plan

VR-PAT

Other

Smartphone-based Virtual Reality Pain Alleviation Tool (VR-PAT) via a lightweight, mobile VR headset

Other names: Virtual Reality

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in self-reported pain

    Time frame: Immediately following each dressing change for one week

    0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (self-reported and caregiver-reported), 0(min)-10(max), with higher score indicating worse pain. Asked for worst pain, average pain, and time spent thinking about pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Self-reported VR experience

    Time frame: Immediately following each dressing change for one week

    0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (self-reported - VR-PAT arm only), 0(min)-10(max), with higher score meaning better outcome. Asked for degree of realism, pleasure, and satisfaction with VR.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  • Parkland Health and Hospital System

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Smartphone Virtual Reality for Pain Management During Burn Care Transition

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 6, 2023
Registry last updated
Jun 19, 2025

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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