Neural Mechanisms of Immersive Virtual Reality in Chronic Pain (VR TMD EEG)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE · Jan 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the VR TMD EEG study, is looking at how immersive virtual reality (VR) can help manage chronic pain, specifically in people with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). Researchers want to understand how VR might work better than a placebo (a fake treatment that doesn't have any real effect) in reducing pain. This project is exciting because it could lead to new, low-risk ways to help people manage their pain without relying on medication.

To participate, you need to be between 18 and 88 years old, speak English, and have had TMD for at least three months. However, there are some conditions that might exclude you from the trial, such as having certain neurological or psychiatric disorders, recent facial trauma, or severe motion sickness. If you join, you can expect to experience VR sessions designed to help with pain relief, and the study aims to gather important information that could help others in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age (18-88 years)
• • English speaker (written and spoken)
• • Temporal Mandibular Disorder (TMD) for at least 3 months
• • TMD Grade Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) ≥ 0
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Present or past degenerative neuromuscular disease
• • Cardiovascular, neurological diseases, pulmonary abnormalities, kidney disease, liver disease, history of cancer within past 3 years
• • Cervical pain (e.g. stenosis, radiculopathy)
• • Any personal (or family first degree) history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses
• • Severe psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, autism) leading to hospitalization within the last 3 years.
• • Use of Antipsychotics (e.g., Risperdal, Ability and clozaril)Lifetime alcohol/drug dependence or alcohol/drug abuse in past 3 months
• • Pregnancy or breast feeding
• • Color-blindness
• • Impaired or uncorrected hearing
• • Non-dominant hand
• • Any facial trauma that has occurred in the last 6 weeks
• • History of a severe facial trauma in the last 2-3 months
• • Conditions that would interfere with the VR mask placement (e.g. trauma, burn, infection)
• • Known history of severe motion sickness
• • Non-removable head cover, artificial hair, certain types of braids or dreadlocks
• • History of fainting
• • History of angioedema
• • Failed drug test (testing for opiates, cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines)