VR-PAT for Pain and Anxiety Management During Pediatric Dermatologic Laser Procedures

Launched by NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · Dec 8, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests whether a virtual reality program called VR-PAT can help reduce pain and worry during skin laser procedures for children and young adults. Participants are randomly assigned to use VR-PAT or wear a headset with the game turned off during their first laser treatment, and then switch to the other condition during a second laser treatment. Pain is checked right after each procedure on a 0–10 scale (reported by the patient and caregiver if needed), and anxiety is measured at three times around the procedure. The plan uses a crossover design so every participant experiences both conditions, and the person giving the post-procedure survey won’t know which group the participant was in.

Who can join? The study is open to people aged 5 through 25 who are having their first laser treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. A parent or guardian must be present for anyone under 18, and participants must be able to speak English. Exclusion criteria include certain conditions that might interfere with the study (for example, active wounds in the treatment area, a history of seizures or migraines triggered by vision, or not using a diode laser). If eligible, you would go through two laser procedures, with random assignment to start with VR-PAT or the control, and you’ll complete brief surveys about pain and anxiety after each procedure. The study is currently enrolling with about 40 participants expected, and results are not yet available.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • dermatology patients (5+ years) who are undergoing first laser procedure at the Nationwide Children's Outpatient Laser
• • have a legal guardian present for patients less than 18 years old for the procedure (for informed consent)
• • can communicate orally
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • any wounds that may interfere with study procedures
• • usage of a diode laser (VR safety has not been established yet)
• • 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
• • unable to communicate in English
• • pregnant women
• • prisoners