Cognitive Behavioral Theory-assisted Virtual Reality for Chronic CANcer Pain (VR-CAN)

Recruiting

Cognitive Behavioral Theory-assisted Virtual Reality for Chronic Cancer Pain (VR-CAN): Device Prototype Development and Feasibility Testing

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* age at least 18 years old
* cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment
* chronic cancer pain (i.e., cancer pain at least 3 months duration) with baseline pain severity at least 4/10 (where 0=no pain, 10=worst pain)

Exclusion Criteria:

* intractable nausea/vomiting, motion sickness, seizures/epilepsy, and/or cranial structures/abnormalities preventing VR headset use
* moderate-severe pain of non-cancer etiology
* enrolled in another pain study
* unable to complete survey measures or interviews in English or Spanish

About the study

While chronic cancer pain affecting as many as 75% of patients is typically addressed using pharmacologic interventions, experts and patients alike support maximizing any relevant non-pharmacologic interventions as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Virtual reality, a novel technology that can temporarily immerse users in a calm, pleasant environment, has been increasingly shown to facilitate improvement in different acute and chronic pain syndromes by providing distraction from pain and lowering pain sensation. To address the significant needs of patients living with chronic cancer pain, we aim to develop and pilot test a prototype device that will leverage cognitive behavioral therapy principles to deliver a novel virtual reality pain therapy. The investigators will do this through the following steps:

Step 1. Develop and refine a CBT-assisted VR prototype for patients with chronic cancer pain (VR-CAN).

Step 2. Conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, safety, and initial clinical impact of the developed VR-CAN prototype compared to a tablet-based two-dimensional video control group.

Step 3. Collect and evaluate qualitative post-intervention data on VR-CAN participants' preferences, thoughts, and feelings about the VR-CAN technology and protocol to optimize for a future, larger, fully powered randomized controlled trial.

What is being tested

VR-CAN prototype chronic cancer pain therapy -- virtual reality program delivering CBT for chronic cancer pain management (device)
Active Control -- two-dimensional tablet-delivered intervention (device)

Sponsor: Medstar Health Research Institute · Participants: 40 · Started: Jul 1, 2025

Contact the study team

Hunter Groninger, MD · Phone: 202-877-7445

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07318519

Locations in the U.S.

District of Columbia	MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington D.C.
North Carolina	Duke University School of Medicine, Durham

Conditions

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.