Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Virtual Reality Relaxation Programs for Pain Management in Patients With Cancer

Launched by ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE · Jun 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how two special techniques—functional near-infrared spectroscopy and virtual reality relaxation programs—can help manage pain in patients with cancer. The goal is to see how effective these methods are in measuring pain severity and its location, as well as their overall feasibility for patients undergoing treatment for various types of cancer, like breast or kidney cancer.

To participate, individuals must be at least 18 years old and able to stay seated for about 20 minutes. This includes cancer patients at any stage of their treatment, whether they are just diagnosed, undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or recovering. Healthy volunteers can also join the study. Participants will need to understand the purpose of the research and agree to take part by signing a consent form. Throughout the study, participants can expect to engage in the relaxation programs and have their pain levels assessed to help determine if these methods can be beneficial for others dealing with cancer-related pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Study participants (cancer patients as well as healthy volunteers) must be over the age of 18
• • Study participants (cancer patients as well as healthy volunteers) need to be able to be in a sedentary posture for approximately 20 minutes
• • For cancer participants: in any stage of cancer treatment, such as diagnosis, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation), recovery, remission and is experiencing acute pain from treatment. Cancers include but are not limited to: breast, thoracic, kidney, etc.
• • Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements
• • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period
• • Medical condition predisposing to nausea or dizziness.
• • Hypersensitivity to flashing light or motion.
• • No stereoscopic vision or severe hearing impairment.
• • Unwillingness or inability to follow protocol requirements.
• • Individuals with impaired decision-making capacity.
• • Individuals with electronic or metallic implants in the head.
• • Unable to remove any items from their scalp that might block direct contact between the fNIRS optodes and the skin. This includes, but is not limited to, wigs and hijabs