VR-CAN for Chronic Cancer Pain

This study is testing a new virtual reality (VR) program called VR-CAN, which uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles to help manage chronic cancer pain. You would use this VR program at home for two weeks. Another group will use a tablet-based program that doesn't use CBT or VR. The study wants to see if the VR-CAN device is easy for people to use as intended. You can join if you are at least 18 years old, have a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing treatment, and have had chronic cancer pain (pain lasting at least 3 months) with a pain level of 4 out of 10 or higher. The current recruitment status is unclear, and the study plans to enroll 40 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study with an unclear phase, planning to enroll 40 participants. It compares a VR program to a tablet-based control.
What's involved
Participants will use the assigned technology (VR-CAN or tablet) at home daily for two weeks, for at least 10 minutes per session.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint for feasibility of device use is measured from enrollment to study completion (14 days).

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NCT07318519

Cognitive Behavioral Theory-assisted Virtual Reality for Chronic CANcer Pain (VR-CAN)

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalDevice feasibility
Medstar Health Research Institute
~40 participants
Updated 2026-01-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:VR-CAN prototype chronic cancer pain therapy -- virtual reality program delivering CBT for chronic cancer pain managementActive Control -- two-dimensional tablet-delivered intervention

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Feasibility of device use as assigned
Measured over From enrollment to study completion (14 days)
Cancer
Cancer Pain
Chronic Cancer Pain
2 sites across 2 states
District of Columbia1
North Carolina1

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

age at least 18 years old
cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment
chronic cancer pain (i.e., cancer pain at least 3 months duration) with baseline pain severity at least 4/10 (where 0=no pain, 10=worst pain)

Exclusion

intractable nausea/vomiting, motion sickness, seizures/epilepsy, and/or cranial structures/abnormalities preventing VR headset use
moderate-severe pain of non-cancer etiology
enrolled in another pain study
unable to complete survey measures or interviews in English or Spanish
  • Feasibility of device use as assignedFrom enrollment to study completion (14 days)

    Protocol adherence (completion of assigned intervention).