VR Pilot for Pancreatitis

Launched by CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · Apr 10, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The VR Pilot for Pancreatitis study is exploring a new way to help adults suffering from chronic pancreatitis, a condition that causes ongoing abdominal pain. This research will test a home-based virtual reality program designed to help manage pain through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Participants will use virtual reality technology and provide feedback through questionnaires and data from a Fitbit to see how this method affects their pain and daily functioning.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between 18 and 75 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, and experience significant abdominal pain. The study is currently looking for volunteers, but it’s important to note that those with certain health issues, like severe cognitive impairment or conditions that could interfere with using virtual reality, won’t be able to participate. If you join the study, you can expect to use VR at home to help manage your pain, and your progress will be monitored through simple questions and health data.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of CP \[as determined by Cambridge 3-4 imaging classification (using CT, MRI, or MRCP) or a histologic diagnosis of CP\]
• • Clinically significant abdominal pain, measured using the standardized NIH PROMIS GI Pain Scale14 and defined as scoring at least 5 points above the nationally normed score (0.5 SD effect size), indicating equal or greater than the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of abdominal pain
• • Are 18-75 years of age
• • Are able to read/write English. The study does not include non-English speakers as to current study material are only available in English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who are presenting with a condition that interferes with VR usage (e.g., seizures, facial injury precluding safe placement of headset, visual impairment)
• • Patients who have cognitive impairment that affects protocol participation
• • Patients who are recommended for long-term hospitalization
• • Patients who are estimated to live \<3 months from the time of enrollment
• • Patients who have been diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor
• • Patients who have been enrolled in an interventional/therapeutic drug trial for chronic or recurrent pancreatitis within the last 6 months