CancerNCT06248216
Virtual Reality Therapy for Cancer-Treatment Associated Symptoms
A study testing Relievrx and Audio Mp4 in people with Cancer and Cancer Pain, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
We propose an innovative approach to symptom management in cancer patients following cancer treatments, utilizing a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) program, authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for in-home use. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 88 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer, Cancer Pain, Virtual Reality
- What is being tested?
- Relievrx and Audio Mp4
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 4 Dec 2024to Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 88 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults ages 18-88
- Cancer diagnosis (histology verified)
- Had surgical intervention, completed chemotherapy or radiation for therapeutic purposes
- ->3 months since last cancer treatment, but participants currently undergoing endocrine or immunotherapy treatments are permissible
- Documented symptoms of cancer or cancer therapy including at least one of the following: pain, anxiety, sleep difficulty, fatigue, neuropathy
- English speaker (written and spoken)
Who cannot join
- Severe psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, autism) leading to hospitalization within the last 3 years
- Any personal (or family first degree) history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses
- Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, neuropathy, fatigue, sleep or anxiety disorder prior to cancer diagnosis
- Current Hospice or palliative care only recipients
- Color-blindness
- Impaired or uncorrected hearing
Show all 10Show fewer
- Lifetime alcohol/drug dependence or alcohol/drug abuse in past 3 months
- Conditions that would interfere with the VR mask placement (e.g. trauma, burn, infection)
- Known history of severe motion sickness
- Pregnancy or breast feeding
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Luana Colloca
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201-1512
Luana Colloca, MD,PhD,MS, 301-364-8089, Colloca@umaryland.edu
Kendyl Carlisle, MD
- Recruiting
University of Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201-1512
Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS, 301-364-8089, colloca@umaryland.edu
Katia Matychak, MS, 4107065975, katiamatychak@umaryland.edu
About this study
Official title: Implementation of an At-Home Multimodal Integrative Therapy Via Virtual Reality for Patients With Cancer-Treatment Associated Symptoms
We propose an innovative approach to symptom management in cancer patients following cancer treatments, utilizing a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) program, authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for in-home use. Our primary goal is to generate pilot data on the effects of MIT-VR program on pain, fatigue, sleep, depression, and anxiety in participants suffering from chronic cancer symptoms following cancer treatments.
Read the detailed description
All of the study procedures will be completed over ten weeks, during which participants will complete one in-person enrollment visit per intervention and check in-phone calls as needed during the duration of each intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 fashion to one of two different interventions first: virtual reality or Mp4 audio. At home, participants will engage in their assigned intervention 5x throughout the week for five weeks using the provided device and fill out required questionnaires. Once participants complete their first intervention, they will begin the second intervention.
In the virtual reality intervention, participants will complete the scheduled educational module five times in each of the five weeks. This VR is assisting users in using immersive reality to reduce pain, learning cognitive and behavior self-coping skills and retraining the pain pathways. There are several sessions, which will be delivered using an all-in-one head-mounted display. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. Similarly, in the audio intervention, participants will complete the scheduled module 5 times a week in each of the five weeks of the intervention. The content is similar to that of the VR, which will be delivered by the audio player. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes.
The first visit is an enrollment visit. For the enrollment visit, the participant will first complete a battery of baseline surveys. They will also receive instructions about the intervention and go through the first module of the intervention to which he or she is assigned. A member of the research team will stay with the participant while the participant completes the module to ensure the proper functioning of the device and will answer any questions that may arise. The team member will also guide the participant on how to use the device. During the five weeks of the intervention, each participant can have check-in phone calls as needed. During these check-ins, we will address any questions and issues that arise for participants to encourage compliance. Participants will return the devices after each intervention.
- Conditions
- Cancer, Cancer Pain, Virtual Reality
- Being tested
- Relievrx, Audio Mp4
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms, Cancer Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
RelievrxDevice
The RelieVRx program is a prescription-use immersive virtual reality system intended to provide adjunctive treatment based on cognitive behavioral therapy skills and other evidence-based behavioral methods for patients (age 18 and older) with a diagnosis of chronic lower back pain (defined as moderate to severe pain lasting longer than three months). The device is intended for in-home use for the reduction of pain and pain interference associated with chronic lower back pain.
Audio Mp4Other
Audio Mp4 modules ranging from 3-15 minutes with guided meditation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual reality arm | Experimental | In the virtual reality intervention, participants will complete the scheduled educational module five times in the week of the intervention. This VR is assisting users in using immersive reality to reduce pain, learning cognitive and behavior self-coping skills and retraining the pain pathways. There are several sessions, which will be delivered using an all-in-one head-mounted display. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. Receives: Device: Relievrx |
| Audio Mp4 arm | Placebo comparator | In the audio intervention, participants will complete the scheduled module 5 times a week of the intervention. The content is similar to that of the VR, which will be delivered by the audio player. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. Receives: Other: Audio Mp4 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
VR effect on perceived pain
During daily intervention sessions (VR), participants will be required to do a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey regarding their pain (REDCAP visual analog pain survey). The post-surveys will be compared to the pre-surveys to determine VR's effect on participant pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
VR effect on perceived fatigue
Participants will take the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
VR effect on perceived anxiety
Participants will take the PROMIS anxiety prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Audio effect on perceived pain
During daily intervention sessions (audio), participants will be required to do a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey regarding their pain (REDCAP visual analog pain survey). The post-surveys will be compared to the pre-surveys to determine audio MP4's effect on participant pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Audio effect on perceived fatigue
Participants will take the PROMIS fatigue prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Audio effect on perceived anxiety
Participants will take the PROMIS anxiety prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on pain
Scores from the daily pre and post pain surveys of each group with be compared to examine whether audio or VR had a greater impact on pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on fatigue
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS fatigue surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on anxiety
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS anxiety surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
VR effect on perceived depression
Participants will take the PROMIS depression prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Audio effect on perceived depression
Participants will take the PROMIS depression prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on depression
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS depression surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Measured: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Feb 2024
- Study start4 Dec 2024
- Primary completionApr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (12)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Maryland, BaltimoreThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- This will be a 10-week crossover design where the participants will undergo one intervention for five weeks and the other intervention for the other five weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned the order of interventions they will undergo.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06248216
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HP-00108489
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jan 2024
- Last updated
- 29 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Brea-Gomez B, Torres-Sanchez I, Ortiz-Rubio A, Calvache-Mateo A, Cabrera-Martos I, Lopez-Lopez L, Valenza MC. Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 11;18(22):11806. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182211806.
PubMed 34831562Grassini S. Virtual Reality Assisted Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Chronic Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 29;19(7):4071. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074071.
PubMed 35409751Tas FQ, van Eijk CAM, Staals LM, Legerstee JS, Dierckx B. Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update. Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Dec;32(12):1292-1304. doi: 10.1111/pan.14546. Epub 2022 Sep 1.
PubMed 35993398Bedford T, Adediran T, Haycock NR, Mullins CD, Medeiros M, Wright T, Curatolo M, Hamlin L, Colloca L. Patient and Provider Acceptability of a Patient Preauthorized Concealed Opioid Reduction. Pain Med. 2021 Jul 25;22(7):1651-1659. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa454.
PubMed 33674821Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Tsuei J, Minor JD. Self-Administered Skills-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res. 2020 Jul 7;4(7):e17293. doi: 10.2196/17293.
PubMed 32374272Garcia LM, Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey IG, Sackman J, Louis RG, Maddox T, Birckhead BJ. Self-Administered Behavioral Skills-Based At-Home Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021 Jan 19;10(1):e25291. doi: 10.2196/25291.
PubMed 33464215Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Krishnamurthy P, Sackman J, Mackey IG, Louis RG, Salmasi V, Maddox T, Darnall BD. An 8-Week Self-Administered At-Home Behavioral Skills-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Conducted During COVID-19. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Feb 22;23(2):e26292. doi: 10.2196/26292.
PubMed 33484240Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey I, Sackman J, Salmasi V, Louis R, Maddox T, Darnall BD. Three-Month Follow-Up Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of 8-Week Self-Administered At-Home Behavioral Skills-Based Virtual Reality (VR) for Chronic Low Back Pain. J Pain. 2022 May;23(5):822-840. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.002. Epub 2021 Dec 11.
PubMed 34902548Garcia L, Birckhead B, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey I, Sackman J, Salmasi V, Louis R, Castro C, Maddox R, Maddox T, Darnall BD. Durability of the Treatment Effects of an 8-Week Self-administered Home-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: 6-Month Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2022 May 25;24(5):e37480. doi: 10.2196/37480.
PubMed 35612905Maddox T, Sparks C, Oldstone L, Maddox R, Ffrench K, Garcia H, Krishnamurthy P, Okhotin D, Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Sackman J, Mackey I, Louis R, Salmasi V, Oyao A, Darnall BD. Durable chronic low back pain reductions up to 24 months after treatment for an accessible, 8-week, in-home behavioral skills-based virtual reality program: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Med. 2023 Oct 3;24(10):1200-1203. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnad070. No abstract available.
PubMed 37220894Kelleher SA, Fisher HM, Winger JG, Miller SN, Amaden GH, Somers TJ, Colloca L, Uronis HE, Keefe FJ. Virtual reality for improving pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer: A pilot trial to test feasibility and acceptability. Palliat Support Care. 2022 Aug;20(4):471-481. doi: 10.1017/S1478951521002017.
PubMed 35078545Zeng Y, Zhang JE, Cheng ASK, Cheng H, Wefel JS. Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Cancer-Related Symptom Management. Integr Cancer Ther. 2019 Jan-Dec;18:1534735419871108. doi: 10.1177/1534735419871108.
PubMed 31441352
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Implementation of an At-Home Multimodal Integrative Therapy Via Virtual Reality for Patients With Cancer-Treatment Associated Symptoms
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06248216
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HP-00108489
- Conditions
- Cancer, Cancer Pain, Virtual Reality
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, BaltimoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
We propose an innovative approach to symptom management in cancer patients following cancer treatments, utilizing a Multimodal Integrative Therapy (MIT) delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) program, authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for in-home use. Our primary goal is to generate pilot data on the effects of MIT-VR program on pain, fatigue, sleep, depression, and anxiety in participants suffering from chronic cancer symptoms following cancer treatments.
Detailed description
All of the study procedures will be completed over ten weeks, during which participants will complete one in-person enrollment visit per intervention and check in-phone calls as needed during the duration of each intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 fashion to one of two different interventions first: virtual reality or Mp4 audio. At home, participants will engage in their assigned intervention 5x throughout the week for five weeks using the provided device and fill out required questionnaires. Once participants complete their first intervention, they will begin the second intervention.
In the virtual reality intervention, participants will complete the scheduled educational module five times in each of the five weeks. This VR is assisting users in using immersive reality to reduce pain, learning cognitive and behavior self-coping skills and retraining the pain pathways. There are several sessions, which will be delivered using an all-in-one head-mounted display. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. Similarly, in the audio intervention, participants will complete the scheduled module 5 times a week in each of the five weeks of the intervention. The content is similar to that of the VR, which will be delivered by the audio player. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes.
The first visit is an enrollment visit. For the enrollment visit, the participant will first complete a battery of baseline surveys. They will also receive instructions about the intervention and go through the first module of the intervention to which he or she is assigned. A member of the research team will stay with the participant while the participant completes the module to ensure the proper functioning of the device and will answer any questions that may arise. The team member will also guide the participant on how to use the device. During the five weeks of the intervention, each participant can have check-in phone calls as needed. During these check-ins, we will address any questions and issues that arise for participants to encourage compliance. Participants will return the devices after each intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind (care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This will be a 10-week crossover design where the participants will undergo one intervention for five weeks and the other intervention for the other five weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned the order of interventions they will undergo.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual reality arm | Experimental | Device: RelievrxIn the virtual reality intervention, participants will complete the scheduled educational module five times in the week of the intervention. This VR is assisting users in using immersive reality to reduce pain, learning cognitive and behavior self-coping skills and retraining the pain pathways. There are several sessions, which will be delivered using an all-in-one head-mounted display. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. |
| Audio Mp4 arm | Placebo comparator | Other: Audio Mp4In the audio intervention, participants will complete the scheduled module 5 times a week of the intervention. The content is similar to that of the VR, which will be delivered by the audio player. Each session varies in duration approximately from 3 to 15 minutes. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 88 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Adults ages 18-88
- Cancer diagnosis (histology verified)
- Had surgical intervention, completed chemotherapy or radiation for therapeutic purposes
- ->3 months since last cancer treatment, but participants currently undergoing endocrine or immunotherapy treatments are permissible
- Documented symptoms of cancer or cancer therapy including at least one of the following: pain, anxiety, sleep difficulty, fatigue, neuropathy
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Severe psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, autism) leading to hospitalization within the last 3 years
- Any personal (or family first degree) history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses
- Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain, neuropathy, fatigue, sleep or anxiety disorder prior to cancer diagnosis
- Current Hospice or palliative care only recipients
- Color-blindness
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| RelievrxThe RelieVRx program is a prescription-use immersive virtual reality system intended to provide adjunctive treatment based on cognitive behavioral therapy skills and other evidence-based behavioral methods for patients (age 18 and older) with a diagnosis of chronic lower back pain (defined as moderate to severe pain lasting longer than three months). The device is intended for in-home use for the reduction of pain and pain interference associated with chronic lower back pain. | Device | Virtual reality arm |
| Audio Mp4Audio Mp4 modules ranging from 3-15 minutes with guided meditation. | Other | Audio Mp4 arm |
Primary outcome
VR effect on perceived pain
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
During daily intervention sessions (VR), participants will be required to do a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey regarding their pain (REDCAP visual analog pain survey). The post-surveys will be compared to the pre-surveys to determine VR's effect on participant pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
VR effect on perceived fatigue
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
VR effect on perceived anxiety
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the PROMIS anxiety prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
Audio effect on perceived pain
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
During daily intervention sessions (audio), participants will be required to do a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey regarding their pain (REDCAP visual analog pain survey). The post-surveys will be compared to the pre-surveys to determine audio MP4's effect on participant pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
Audio effect on perceived fatigue
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the PROMIS fatigue prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
Audio effect on perceived anxiety
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the PROMIS anxiety prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on pain
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Scores from the daily pre and post pain surveys of each group with be compared to examine whether audio or VR had a greater impact on pain. The surveys incorporate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0-100, 0 being no pain experienced and 100 being the most pain experienced.
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on fatigue
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS fatigue surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on fatigue. The PROMIS fatigue scale ranges from 0-50, 0 being no fatigue and 50 meaning the most fatigue.
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on anxiety
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS anxiety surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on anxiety. The PROMIS anxiety scale ranges from 7-35, 7 being the least anxious and 35 being the most anxious.
VR effect on perceived depression
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the PROMIS depression prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine VR's effect on participant depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Audio effect on perceived depression
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Participants will take the PROMIS depression prior to intervention, and weekly throughout 4 week study period. Each follow-up survey will be compared to the baseline survey to determine audio MP4's effect on participant depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Difference in effect of VR vs audio MP4 intervention on depression
Time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)
Scores from the baseline and weekly PROMIS depression surveys will be compared between VR and audio MP4 groups to determine if there was a differential effect on depression. The PROMIS depression scale ranges from 4-20, 4 being the least depressed and 20 being the most depressed.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Apr 2026.
- Background: PubMed 34831562Brea-Gomez B, Torres-Sanchez I, Ortiz-Rubio A, Calvache-Mateo A, Cabrera-Martos I, Lopez-Lopez L, Valenza MC. Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 11;18(22):11806. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182211806.
- Background: PubMed 35409751Grassini S. Virtual Reality Assisted Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Chronic Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 29;19(7):4071. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074071.
- Background: PubMed 35993398Tas FQ, van Eijk CAM, Staals LM, Legerstee JS, Dierckx B. Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update. Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Dec;32(12):1292-1304. doi: 10.1111/pan.14546. Epub 2022 Sep 1.
- Background: PubMed 33674821Bedford T, Adediran T, Haycock NR, Mullins CD, Medeiros M, Wright T, Curatolo M, Hamlin L, Colloca L. Patient and Provider Acceptability of a Patient Preauthorized Concealed Opioid Reduction. Pain Med. 2021 Jul 25;22(7):1651-1659. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa454.
- Background: PubMed 32374272Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Tsuei J, Minor JD. Self-Administered Skills-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res. 2020 Jul 7;4(7):e17293. doi: 10.2196/17293.
- Background: PubMed 33464215Garcia LM, Darnall BD, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey IG, Sackman J, Louis RG, Maddox T, Birckhead BJ. Self-Administered Behavioral Skills-Based At-Home Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021 Jan 19;10(1):e25291. doi: 10.2196/25291.
- Background: PubMed 33484240Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Krishnamurthy P, Sackman J, Mackey IG, Louis RG, Salmasi V, Maddox T, Darnall BD. An 8-Week Self-Administered At-Home Behavioral Skills-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Conducted During COVID-19. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Feb 22;23(2):e26292. doi: 10.2196/26292.
- Background: PubMed 34902548Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey I, Sackman J, Salmasi V, Louis R, Maddox T, Darnall BD. Three-Month Follow-Up Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of 8-Week Self-Administered At-Home Behavioral Skills-Based Virtual Reality (VR) for Chronic Low Back Pain. J Pain. 2022 May;23(5):822-840. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.002. Epub 2021 Dec 11.
- Background: PubMed 35612905Garcia L, Birckhead B, Krishnamurthy P, Mackey I, Sackman J, Salmasi V, Louis R, Castro C, Maddox R, Maddox T, Darnall BD. Durability of the Treatment Effects of an 8-Week Self-administered Home-Based Virtual Reality Program for Chronic Low Back Pain: 6-Month Follow-up Study of a Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2022 May 25;24(5):e37480. doi: 10.2196/37480.
- Background: PubMed 37220894Maddox T, Sparks C, Oldstone L, Maddox R, Ffrench K, Garcia H, Krishnamurthy P, Okhotin D, Garcia LM, Birckhead BJ, Sackman J, Mackey I, Louis R, Salmasi V, Oyao A, Darnall BD. Durable chronic low back pain reductions up to 24 months after treatment for an accessible, 8-week, in-home behavioral skills-based virtual reality program: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Med. 2023 Oct 3;24(10):1200-1203. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnad070. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 35078545Kelleher SA, Fisher HM, Winger JG, Miller SN, Amaden GH, Somers TJ, Colloca L, Uronis HE, Keefe FJ. Virtual reality for improving pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer: A pilot trial to test feasibility and acceptability. Palliat Support Care. 2022 Aug;20(4):471-481. doi: 10.1017/S1478951521002017.
- Results publication: PubMed 31441352Zeng Y, Zhang JE, Cheng ASK, Cheng H, Wefel JS. Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Cancer-Related Symptom Management. Integr Cancer Ther. 2019 Jan-Dec;18:1534735419871108. doi: 10.1177/1534735419871108.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Relievrx and Audio Mp4 in people with Cancer and Cancer Pain, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Katia Matychak, MS (410-706-5975, katiamatychak@umaryland.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
VR effect on perceived pain (time frame: Baseline to end of intervention (4 weeks)). The study lists 12 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06248216, which also lists 12 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Apr 2026.