Virtual Reality Devices As an Adjunct to Usual Care for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Experiencing Vaso-Occlusive Crises

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE · Dec 14, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how virtual reality (VR) can help patients with sickle cell disease who are experiencing severe pain episodes, known as vaso-occlusive crises. The researchers want to see if using VR along with standard treatments can improve pain relief and overall comfort for patients in the emergency department.

To participate in this study, you need to be an adult over 18 years old with a history of sickle cell disease and currently experiencing acute pain from a vaso-occlusive crisis. However, if you have certain conditions, such as complications from your crisis or specific medical histories that prevent you from using VR, you may not be eligible. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive usual care for your pain, along with the opportunity to use a VR device during your treatment. This trial is currently looking for participants, so if you or someone you know fits the criteria, it could be a chance to explore a new way to manage pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult (age \> 18 years) emergency department patient
• • History of sickle cell disease
• • Presenting to the emergency department due to acute pain related to sickle cell disease thought to be due to vaso-occlusive crisis
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior enrollment in this study
• • Presenting with a chief complaint suggestive of a complicated crisis (such as concern for acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, hepatic sequestration, pulmonary embolism) as determined by the clinical care provider
• • Not being treated with intravenous opioids for the vaso-occlusive crisis
• • Patients who lack the capacity to provide informed consent
• • Medical history of seizures or known intolerance to virtual reality
• • Disabilities like vision and hearing defects etc. that preclude the use of a head mounted virtual reality device.
• • Known to be pregnant
• • Incarcerated at the time of evaluation
• • Over the age of 89 years old