Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Using Virtual Reality Applications for Younger Patients With Chronic Pain

United States20 participantsStarted 2026-06

Plain-language summary

In this study, patients who are 7-21 years of age and have chronic pain affecting their head, neck, and/or upper limb will participate in 6 once-weekly sessions. During each of these hour-long sessions, participants will engage in physical therapy exercises, use virtual reality games focused on moving the head, neck and arm, and complete questionnaires about their pain.

Who can participate

Age range

7 Years – 21 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: * Patients 7-21 years of age * Patients who have been evaluated in the pediatric chronic pain clinic during the enrollment period or last 12 months * Patients who have a diagnosis of migraine, chronic neck pain, chronic shoulder or scapular pain, chronic pain of the upper limb, complex regional pain syndrome of the upper limb, amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome affecting the upper limb, chronic joint pain affecting the upper limb Exclusion Criteria: * Patients less than 7 years or greater than 21 years of age * Patients who have not been evaluated in the pediatric chronic pain clinic during the enrollment period or last 12 months. * Patients with primary complaints of lower back pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, or abdominal pain. * Patients with factors limit their ability to safely tolerate wearing and operating the Meta Oculus 2 virtual reality goggles, including but not limited to claustrophobia, anxiety, vestibulo-ocular dysfunction, visual impairments, significant sitting balance impairments.

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

Pain Intensity Based on Numeric Rating Scale

Timeframe: Weekly assessment from enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Disability Classification based on the Upper Extremity Functional Scale

Timeframe: Weekly assessment from enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07630350

SponsorElizabeth Pickle

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

Elizabeth A Pickle, MD

(412) 692-8700 pickleea@upmc.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Pain Management trials