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Virtual Reality Glasses for Oral Surgery Anxiety and Pain

This study is looking at whether using virtual reality (VR) glasses with a relaxation module can help patients undergoing oral surgery feel less anxious and experience less pain. The VR glasses will show relaxing videos and sounds to distract you during your procedure. Researchers also want to see if using VR glasses can reduce the amount of Midazolam (a sedative) needed during surgery. You might be able to join if you are between 16 and 65 years old, need IV sedation for oral surgery, and can understand how to use VR glasses. The study aims to see if VR glasses improve your experience and reduce the amount of sedation required.

Study design
This is a randomized study with 80 participants. You would be randomly assigned to either wear VR glasses with a relaxing video and audio, or VR glasses that only act as eye protection.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your anxiety and depression levels will be measured before surgery, immediately before and after surgery, and about 8 hours after surgery. The amount of Midazolam used will be measured at pre-incision, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes post-incision.

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

NCT06723158

Oral Surgery Virtual Reality Glasses Study

Recruiting
NAAges 16–65InterventionalPrevention
Boston University
~80 participants
Updated 2026-07-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Virtual reality (VR) glasses with relaxation module

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Level of anxiety
Measured over 3 days before oral surgery, immediately before surgery, immediately after surgery, about 8 hours after surgery
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Procedural Anxiety
Procedural Pain

Explore related trials

Oral SurgeryProcedural AnxietyProcedural Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1

Study leadership

  • Radhika Chigurupati, DMD MS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Who to contact

Radhika Chigurupati, DMD MS
[email protected]
617-638-4386
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients requiring IV sedation for oral surgery procedure
Patients able to understand the use of virtual reality glasses and provide informed consent/assent
Patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II
No reported substance use within the previous 24 hours
No reported excessive alcohol consumption
Willingness to wear eye protection
Willingness to use certified interpreters if required
A legal guardian must accompany minors

Exclusion

Patient with hearing aids or severe hearing impairment
Patient with blindness or significant visual impairment that is not corrected by contact lenses
Patients with cognitive impairments determined and assessed by the researchers
Pregnant women or women who could be pregnant based on self reporting
Patients unable to tolerate virtual reality glasses due to motion sickness or other issues
Patients with history of seizures or epilepsy per self report
Patients who cannot tolerate VR glasses due to discomfort or a medical emergency that arises during the procedure

What this trial measures

  • Level of anxiety3 days before oral surgery, immediately before surgery, immediately after surgery, about 8 hours after surgery

    Scores from the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) will be used to assess the level of anxiety. It is a 7-item instrument with each item scored from 0=Not at all to 3=Nearly every day. GAD-7 total scores for the can range from 0 to 21 with higher scores suggesting more anxiety. The scores are interpreted as 0-4: minimal anxiety, 5-9: mild anxiety, 10-14: moderate anxiety, and 15-21: severe anxiety.

  • Level of depression3 days before oral surgery, immediately before surgery, immediately after surgery, about 8 hours after surgery

    Scores from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) will be used to assess the level of depression. It is a 9-item depression screening tool with each item scored from 0=Not at all to 3=Nearly every day. Scores can range from 0 to 27, with higher scores suggesting more depression. The scores are interpreted as 0-4: None or minimal depression, 5-9: Mild depression, 10-14: Moderate depression, 15-19: Moderately severe depression, and 20-27: Severe depression.

  • Amount of Midazolam usedpre-incision, 30 minutes post incision, 60 minutes post incision

    The amount of this drug used will be abstracted form the medical record of each participant.

  • Amount of Fentanyl usedpre-incision, 30 minutes post incision, 60 minutes post incision

    The amount of this drug used will be abstracted form the medical record of each participant.

  • Amount of Propofol usedpre-incision, 30 minutes post incision, 60 minutes post incision

    The amount of this drug used will be abstracted form the medical record of each participant.

  • Amount of Ketamine usedpre-incision, 30 minutes post incision, 60 minutes post incision

    The amount of this drug used will be abstracted form the medical record of each participant.