Actively Recruiting
Virtual Reality Interventions for the Improvement of Depression, Anxiety and Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Caregivers
Led by City of Hope Medical Center · Updated on 2025-11-10
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
123 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
City of Hope Medical Center
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This clinical trial tests how well a three-dimensional (3D) mindfulness virtual reality (VR) versus (vs) two-dimensional (2D) non-immersive interventions works in improving depression, anxiety, pain, and/or stress in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation or chemoradiation (C/RT), and their caregivers. HNC patients undergoing C/RT can experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, distress and pain that negatively impact their quality of life. VR allows for a realistic experience and works as an effective distraction tool from the state of pain or anxiety without use of drugs and with minimal associated risk to patients. VR has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and pain in non-cancer patients, however there is limited evidence of how well VR use works in cancer patients, especially in patients undergoing C/RT for HNC. Caregivers of these patients also experience high levels of anxiety and distress. Using VR interventions may improve depression, anxiety, pain and/or stress in patients with HNC undergoing C/RT and their caregivers.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Virtual Reality Interventions for the Improvement of Depression, Anxiety and Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Caregivers
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patient or caregiver provides documented informed consent
- Patients and caregivers are 18 years or older
- Self-reported normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
- Patients must be ambulatory and may use walking aids
- Ability to read and understand English for questionnaires
- Patients scheduled to undergo radiation or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
- Caregiver must be identified by the patient and involved in their medical care
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients or caregivers employed under direct or indirect supervision of the study team
- Direct study team members
- Inability to complete surveys
- Serious mental illness
- Patients with previous head and neck cancer treatment
- History of psychiatric disease treatment with antidepressants, substance abuse, PTSD, or chronic pain longer than 3 months
- Patients with cancer near eyes or ears or with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
City of Hope Medical Center
Duarte, California, United States, 91010
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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