Healthy Children and Virtual Reality Mediation of Simulated Pain

Launched by NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · Feb 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how well Virtual Reality (VR) can help reduce pain in children and teenagers during medical procedures. The researchers want to learn more about the brain's response to pain and how VR might help ease that pain. To do this, they will use a special device that can see changes in brain activity while kids play different VR games and experience a bit of simulated pain through a blood pressure cuff.

To participate, children aged 6 to 17 who can communicate in English are eligible, but they should not be currently in pain or have taken any pain medication in the last 12 hours. Kids with certain health issues, like motion sickness or cognitive impairments, cannot join the study. During a one-hour visit, participants will play engaging VR games while the researchers monitor their brain activity. This study aims to find better ways to manage pain for kids in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 6-17 years, inclusive
• • Subjects and legal guardians can communicate (read and write) using English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Currently experiencing any pain (acute or chronic)
• • Took any pain medication within the past 12 hours
• • 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, incarcerated, or currently pregnant