VR-ACT After Stroke: a Feasibility Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA · May 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "VR-ACT After Stroke," is exploring a new way to help people manage chronic pain and improve mental health after having a stroke. The study will test an 8-week virtual reality (VR) program designed for patients dealing with ongoing pain from their stroke. Researchers want to see if this program is easy to use, if people find it helpful, and if it can make a difference in their pain levels and mental well-being.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be between the ages of 18 and 80 and have a medical diagnosis of chronic post-stroke pain. They should also be comfortable using the internet and computers, and be willing to follow the study's guidelines. However, some people may not be eligible, such as those with active cancer, severe cognitive issues, or other serious mental health concerns. Participants can expect to engage with the VR program over the course of two months and will be assessed before and after the program to see how well it works for them. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into using technology for pain management after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • medical diagnosis of CPSP;
• • age between 18 and 80;
• • implicit de facto internet and computer literacy;
• • willingness to comply with the study procedures.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • currently with active malignancy; -
• • severe cognitive impairment;
• • currently undergoing any psychological intervention or VR-delivered pain management program;
• • current severe psychiatric symptoms (i.e., psychosis; severe depression; non-suicidal self-injury; suicide attempt in the last month);
• • language impairment with severe comprehension deficit;
• • history of photosensitive epilepsy or previous experience of severe simulator sickness;
• • other neurological conditions (e.g., dementia; Parkinson´s).