VR-PMR for Post-Burn Symptoms

This study is testing if a technique called progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), either on its own or with virtual reality (VR), can help adults who have experienced burn injuries manage ongoing symptoms like pain, itching, anxiety, sleep problems, and tiredness. Researchers want to see if VR-enhanced PMR (VR-PMR) works better than standard PMR. You might be able to join if you are at least 18 years old, had a burn injury at least six months ago, and experience significant insomnia, pain, or itch. You also need a smartphone or computer with internet. The study is currently unclear on its status and plans to enroll 34 participants.

Study design: This study is an interventional study comparing two behavioral interventions. It plans to enroll 34 participants.
What's involved: You would participate in self-administered 20-minute sessions for 3 consecutive days, one hour before bedtime. You will also complete online visits and surveys.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your pain, itch, and anxiety will be measured at pre-intervention and post-intervention (3 weeks).

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

VR-PMR for Post-Burn Symptoms

Recruiting

NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment

Johns Hopkins University

~34 participants

Updated 2026-03-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Virtual Reality-Enhanced Progressive Muscle RelaxationStandard Progressive Muscle Relaxation

At a glance

Recruiting sites

1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Pain Intensity as assessed by the the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).

Measured over pre intervention and post VR-PMR intervention (3 weeks)

+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Burn

Chronic Pain Following Thermal Burn Injury

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Virtual Reality

Sleep Disturbance

Anxiety

Depressive Symptoms

Fatigue Symptom

Pruritus

Burn Injury

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Maryland1

Study leadership

Sheera Lerman Zohar, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Johns Hopkins University

Who to contact

Lynn Nakad, PhD, RN

[email protected]

410-550-9056

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

≥18 years old;

sustained a burn injury in the last 6 months or longer;

Score high on at least one of the following: Insomnia severity index (ISI) score of ≥8, Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) Pain severity score of ≥3, or PROMIS Itch Severity of ≥55;

own a smartphone or computer with reliable internet connection for online visits and survey completion;

able to comfortably wear goggles or headsets on face as determined by self-report.

Exclusion

Cognitive impairment (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) \< 25);

history of motion sickness, photosensitivity, photoinduced seizures, and claustrophobia as determined by self-report;

uncorrected visual or hearing impairments as determined by self-report;

non-English speaker.

What this trial measures

Pain Intensity as assessed by the the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).pre intervention and post VR-PMR intervention (3 weeks)
Pain will be measured using the the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Scale range 0-10, higher score worse pain severity.
Itch Intensity as assessed by the the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)pre intervention and post VR-PMR intervention (3 weeks)
Itch intensity pre- and post-intervention will be measured using the the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Scale range 0-10, higher score worse itch severity.
Anxiety as assessed by the Numeric Rating ScalePre intervention, post VR-PMR intervention (3 weeks)
Anxiety severity pre- and post-intervention will be measured using the Numeric Rating Scale. Total score range from 0-10 with higher scores indicating worse anxiety.

Trialytics