Virtual Reality in Inpatients

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Chronic Pain

In brief

This study is being conducted as a pilot to test the feasibility, usability, acceptability, and clinical utility of using a virtual reality (VR) immersion experience in the inpatient setting. In addition to determining whether the patients enjoy the experience and would like to participate in a future more tailored immersion in virtual reality, we will be attempting to determine whether there are any positive impacts on their visit, including a distraction from their pain or anxiety associated with their procedures or the reason they have been admitted to the hospital. Because the inpatient population at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) is dynamic and diagnostically diverse, we intend to develop a series of VR interventions that broadly address patient concerns. VR has only been tested in select patient populations, so we are equally interested in the feasibility of deploying VR across the inpatient hospital environment as we are in demonstrating some effectiveness in reducing pain and anxiety, and improving satisfaction. The present study has the following aims: 1. Adapting existing VR environments for inpatients with a variety of impairments, utilizing cost-effective VR hardware (Phase 1). 2. Assess the usability and acceptability of the VR equipment and software by hospital inpatients by conducting qualitative interviews (Phase 2). 3. Assess the clinical utility of the VR intervention by measuring patient reported outcomes using a modified care satisfaction survey, administered to inpatients receiving VR and a matched control sample (Phase 3). Concerning Aims 2 and 3, we hypothesize the following: 1. Inpatients will find the VR intervention helpful and enjoyable, and will believe that its benefits outweigh any difficulties encountered using the hardware or software. 2. Inpatients who are exposed to the VR intervention will report significantly improved pain management, greater satisfaction with their inpatient visit, and greater overall health compared to matched control inpatients that were not exposed to VR.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02456987

Run by

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

People needed

100

Starts

2015-06-30

Expected to finish

2016-11-21

Last updated by the study team

2019-07-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Able to understand the goals of the study and provide informed consent
• Any Inpatient at CSMC ISP, admitted between June 2015 and 31 December 2016, who is not excluded due to criteria listed below.
• At least 18 years of age
• English speaking

You may not qualify if…

• Unable to consent to study due to cognitive difficulty
• Current diagnosis of epilepsy, dementia, or other neurological disease that may prevent use of VR hardware and software
• Vision requiring correction with eyeglasses (except nearsightedness, which can be accommodated by the Gear VR goggles)
• Sensitivity to flashing light or motion*
• Recent stroke
• Transplant patient
• Patient on ventilator, BiPAP, or other breathing assistance equipment
• Recent injury to the eyes, face, neck, or arms that prevents comfortable use of VR hardware or software*
• Non-English speaking

Where it is running

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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