Pilot Study Evaluating the Therapeutic Effects of Passive Exposure Virtual Reality on Pain, Anxie… (NCT07214090) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Pilot Study Evaluating the Therapeutic Effects of Passive Exposure Virtual Reality on Pain, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Well-being in Patients With Complex Palliative Care Needs.
40 participantsStarted 2025-10-01
Plain-language summary
The EPURAVAS "Pilot Study Using Augmented and Virtual Reality to Ease Suffering in Palliative Care" study is designed to investigate a non-medication treatment for complex symptoms in palliative care.
The purpose is to assess the clinical effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) exposure as a way to relieve the distressing symptoms experienced by individuals receiving specialized palliative care.
The study seeks to determine if immersive Passive Exposure Virtual Reality (RVEP) is more effective at providing a significant reduction in pain and anxiety, and a greater overall improvement in well-being and quality of life for patients in complex palliative situations, compared to a control virtual reality approach.
In the study, individuals are randomly assigned to one of two groups for a week:
* Immersive VR: A headset completely surrounds the user in a calming, computer-generated world, aiming to deeply distract the mind from discomfort.
* Control VR: A different headset allows the user to still see the real room while potentially having some virtual elements added. This acts as a comparison to measure the specific benefits of the deep immersion.
Participation involves daily 10-minute VR sessions for seven days. Throughout this time, physiological measurements are safely and continuously recorded using the VR headset and a connected watch. This collects objective information on how the body is reacting-things like brain activity, heart rate, and breathing-to scientifically determine the treatment's impact.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patient ≥ 18 years old
* Hospitalized in the palliative care unit or followed by the mobile palliative care team of the Strasbourg University Hospitals
* Estimated life expectancy \> 1 month (Pronopall score calculated based on medical record data)
* Affiliated with a social security scheme
* Able to understand the objectives and risks of the trial
* Able to understand and complete study questionnaires written in French
* Reachable by phone or email for the entire duration of participation in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patient with a psychotic mental illness, followed and treated before the study, and not stabilized
* Patient with a severe neurological disease, followed and treated before the study, and not stabilized
* Patient with visual or auditory disorders, or motion sickness, present before the study, that could interfere with the use of virtual reality
* Patient under legal protection or unable to express their consent
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Clinical Effectiveness Assessed by ESAS F12 Pain Score