NCT05952817Completed
Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain and Function in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain, Physical Function, and Health-related Quality of Life in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 18 Jun 2025
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Significance or rationale of the study: Virtual reality (VR) is a promising non-pharmacological pain management tool. It enhances motor function by promoting cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. Its multimodal biofeedback engages sensory and cognitive functions, making therapy interactive, motivating, and easy to understand. With strong rehabilitation potential, VR helps patients adapt to real-world movements (Laver, 2020). Initially used for procedural pain management, VR is now expanding into chronic pain rehabilitation by encouraging engagement with difficult or avoided movements (Griffin et al., 2020). Additionally, VR offers a dynamic alternative to traditional exercises, improving adherence and outcomes. Integrating entertainment into therapy can motivate children, enhancing their physical and psychological well-being. Recently, a few studies revealed an improvement in vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) after VR treatment (Agrawal et al., 2019). However, efficacy studies are needed to assess VR's potential benefits. Additionally, data regarding VR's efficacy on daily pain, functional mobility, and HRQOL as complementary therapy are limited
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 40 (actual)
- First submitted
- 11 Jul 2023
- Start date
- 1 Sept 2023
- Primary completion date
- 1 Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
- Afnan Bkri
- Diseases
- Sickle cell disease
- NCT number
- NCT05952817
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 40
- From 1 Sept 2023 to the primary completion date, 1 Feb 2024
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Participation in concurrent physiotherapy or rehabilitation programs.
- Previously enrolled in phase one of the current study (if applicable)
Other illness
- Presentence of developmental, neurological, or genetic disorders.
- History of hip replacement or major orthopedic conditions affecting mobility.
- Current acute chest syndrome or unstable clinical condition.
Other
- Visual or hearing impairments that would interfere with VR use.
Who the study is looking for
- Children aged between 8 and 13 years.
- Diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD), including homozygous SCA and other clinically confirmed variants.
- Medically stable and cleared by the treating physician to participate in mild activity.
- Receiving hydroxyurea as part of routine care.
- Able to follow simple instructions and communicate pain levels.
- Parental/legal guardian consent and child assent obtained.
Age in the registry: 8 years to 13 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Jizan | Saudi Arabia | Unknown status |
Related publications
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.