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Virtual Reality for Sickle Cell Pain Relief

This study is looking at whether using virtual reality (VR) headsets and hand-held controllers can help reduce pain for adults with sickle cell disease who are experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis (a painful episode caused by blocked blood vessels). You would use the VR device as an add-on to your usual pain care. Another group will use a blindfold and noise-canceling headphones as a comparison. The main goal is to see how much your pain scores change one hour after using the VR device or the blindfold/headphones. To join, you need to be an adult (18+) in the emergency department with sickle cell disease and acute pain from a vaso-occlusive crisis. The study is currently recruiting about 30 participants.

Study design
This is a non-blinded, non-randomized study involving about 30 participants. It compares virtual reality devices to blindfolding and noise-canceling headphones.
What's involved
You would use a virtual reality device for up to two hours. Your pain intensity will be measured at four different times: before, during, immediately after, and one hour after the intervention.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain will be assessed one hour after the study intervention ends.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06184126

Virtual Reality Devices as an Adjunct to Usual Care for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Experiencing Vaso-Occlusive Crises

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Maryland, Baltimore
~30 participants
Updated 2025-12-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Virtual Reality Headset and Hand-Held ControllersBlindfolding and Noise Cancelling

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Comparison of the change in pain scores between the 3 groups at one hour after completion of the study intervention.
Measured over A single time point 1 hour after the study intervention ends.

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease
Vaso-occlusive Pain Episode in Sickle Cell Disease
Acute Pain

Explore related trials

Sickle Cell Disease

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Maryland1

Study leadership

  • R. Gentry Wilklerson, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · U of Maryland, Baltimore

Who to contact

R. Gentry Wilkerson, MD
[email protected]
410-328-4237
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult (age \> 18 years) emergency department patient
History of sickle cell disease
Presenting to the emergency department due to acute pain related to sickle cell disease thought to be due to vaso-occlusive crisis

Exclusion

Prior enrollment in this study
Presenting with a chief complaint suggestive of a complicated crisis (such as concern for acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, hepatic sequestration, pulmonary embolism) as determined by the clinical care provider
Not being treated with intravenous opioids for the vaso-occlusive crisis
Patients who lack the capacity to provide informed consent
Medical history of seizures or known intolerance to virtual reality
Disabilities like vision and hearing defects etc. that preclude the use of a head mounted virtual reality device.
Known to be pregnant
Incarcerated at the time of evaluation
Over the age of 89 years old

What this trial measures

  • Comparison of the change in pain scores between the 3 groups at one hour after completion of the study intervention.A single time point 1 hour after the study intervention ends.

    Patient reported on 0-10 scale