Using Virtual Reality to Reduce Pain and Anxiety During Painful Procedures in Patients with Blood Cancers

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate how well Virtual Reality VR can reduce pain and anxiety during painful procedures in patients with blood cancers, such as hematological malignancies. The study focuses on procedures like Bone Marrow Biopsy, Bone Marrow Aspiration, Lumbar Puncture, Venipuncture, and chemotherapy. Previous research suggests VR may help distract patients from pain and improve their overall experience during medical care. The trial uses a crossover design where each patient experiences two periods one with standard care and one with the addition of a VR session during the same procedure. There is also an external control group receiving only standard care, matched by age and procedure type for comparison. The VR intervention involves a headset connected to a smartphone that displays immersive visual and audio content tailored to the study population. Each VR session lasts as long as the painful procedure. Participants will undergo assessments of pain levels using a Numeric Rating Scale just before and after procedures. Anxiety will be measured with a standardized inventory before and after procedures as well. The study includes a washout period of at least seven days between the two treatment periods. Researchers will monitor how pain and anxiety change with and without VR distraction. The overall participation time varies depending on the procedures and scheduling.

Distraction With Virtual Reality From Pain and Anxiety for Patients With Hematological Malignancies