Impact of Virtual Reality Hypnosis Before an Invasive Medical Procedure for Patients With Chronic Pain

University of Liege

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Pain

Treatments: Device: Virtual reality hypnosis

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06082427

/344

Details and patient eligibility

About

Management of chronic pain involves an array of tools, such as radiofrequency thermocoagulation (Rf-Tc). Like many other invasive procedures, Rf-Tc can generate an increase in pain perception and anxiety levels. Virtual reality hypnosis (VRH) is a promising tool in managing anxiety and pain. Nevertheless, its effectiveness has not been investigated in patients with chronic pain goig througha Rf-Tc procedure. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of VRH on self-assessed anxiety in patients with chronic pain having to undergo an act of Tf-Rc. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: VRH or Control (usual care). Assessment were carried-out at 4 periods of time: T0 (the week before the Rf-Tc); T1 (pre-intervention the day of the Rf-Tc); T2 (post-intervention the day of the Rf-Tc); and T3 (post-Rf-Tc). Medical and socio-demographic data, immersive tendencies pain, anxiety, and satisfaction were assessed at each time points.

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• suffering from chronic pain
• >18 years old
• French speaking
• no claustrophobia
• no head or face wounds
• sufficient auditory and visual acuity for an effective use of the VRH technique

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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33 participants in 2 patient groups

VRH

Experimental group

Description:

VRH was delivered through a 3D virtual reality headpiece equipped with a head-tracking system called " IPNEO " and designed by the society Cayceo (Montpellier, France, https://cayceo.fr/). The device display an enchanted environment movie based on hypnosis induction and suggestions (relaxation, comfort, and safety).

Treatment:

Device: Virtual reality hypnosis

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual care