Virtual Reality Intervention to Improve Psychological Symptom Burden for Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment

Mayo Clinic

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Anxiety Disorder; Cancer; Depression; Malignant Solid Neoplasm; Hematopoietic and Lymphoid System Neoplasm; Adjustment Disorder

Treatments: Other: Virtual Reality (VR) Intervention; Other: Questionnaire Administration

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07221409

25-002609 (Other Identifier)

NCI-2025-07303 (Registry Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial tests the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a virtual reality intervention to improve psychological symptom burden for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to experience and interact with three-dimensional, computer-generated environments that simulate the real world or imagined settings. The VR intervention consists of a preloaded with immersive environments designed to engage the senses through simulated sights and sounds. This may include a walk through of a serene forest, exploring vibrant coral reefs, swimming with dolphins, or standing at the base of a majestic waterfall. These environments are created to provide a relaxing and engaging experience. Completing the VR intervention may be a safe and effective way to improve quality of life, reduce anxiety, enhance focus, and promote healthy living for cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Enrollment: 24 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 90 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• History of cancer
• Age between 18 to 90 years
• Undergoing in-patient chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant (BMT), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-t, & out-patient chemotherapy

Exclusion criteria

• History of bipolar disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder, substance use disorder other than caffeine or tobacco. History of suicidal ideation or attempt
• History of treatment resistant depression, psychiatric hospitalization, syncope, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, epilepsy, electroconvulsive therapy, benign positional vertigo, Meniere's disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

24 participants in 1 patient group

Virtual Reality (VR) Headset Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will undergo a single VR session to assess feasibility, tolerability, and changes in anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Treatment:

Other: Questionnaire Administration

Other: Virtual Reality (VR) Intervention