What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating if virtual reality can help reduce pain severity and opioid use in children hospitalized for sickle cell vaso-occlusive pain crises. This study compares standard care alone to standard care plus a daily virtual reality experience to see if the immersive technology can complement pain management and improve patient satisfaction. The trial focuses on pediatric patients admitted for sickle cell pain episodes, recognizing the complexity and individual nature of pain and the need for multidisciplinary approaches beyond opioid therapy. Participants may receive standard therapy or standard therapy combined with a daily virtual reality session using the KindVR Aqua program. This program provides a 15-minute immersive underwater exploration via a Pico Neo 3 headset, designed specifically for children. The study lasts up to 3 days during hospital admission, with the intervention delivered once daily alongside routine pain management. All patients complete pain assessments three times daily during their hospital stay. Those using virtual reality will also complete surveys twice daily to monitor for side effects and a satisfaction survey once during the study. Pain severity is tracked from enrollment through hospital day 3. There is no follow-up period after hospital discharge, and all study activities occur during the inpatient admission.

Virtual Reality As Adjunct Therapy for Vaso-Occlusive Pain