Using Virtual Reality Technology to Improve Patient Experience and Quality of Care During Brachytherapy

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS · Jun 27, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how virtual reality (VR) technology can improve the experience of women undergoing brachytherapy, a type of radiation treatment, for endocervical cancer. The goal is to see if using VR can help patients feel less anxious and in less pain during their treatment, as well as reduce the need for pain relief medications.

To participate in the trial, women aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with certain types of gynecologic cancers and require brachytherapy may be eligible. However, those with severe vision or hearing issues, certain medical conditions like seizures or severe motion sickness, and specific phobias may not qualify. Participants can expect to engage with VR technology during their treatment, which aims to make the experience more comfortable and satisfying. This trial is currently recruiting, so there’s an opportunity for eligible women to take part in this innovative approach to cancer care.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female, ≥ 18 years of age
• • Histopathologic diagnosis of gynecologic cancer (endometrial, cervical, vaginal, vulvar) that requires intracavitary brachytherapy with a tandem or interstitial brachytherapy
• • Able to provide written consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe vision or hearing problems that may hinder the ability to see or hear clearly through the VR headset or other condition that may interfere with the placement of the VR headset such as a head, ear or facial wound
• • History of seizure disorder, severe motion sickness, dizziness, or migraine headaches precipitated by visual auras
• • Known history of elevated intraocular pressure
• • Claustrophobia, thalassophobia, cleithrophobia or similar phobias
• • Any other significant medical or psychiatric conditions which, in the opinion of the enrolling investigator, may interfere with consent or compliance of the treatment regimen