Virtual reality for depression, anxiety and pain in head and neck cancer
Compares 3D mindfulness virtual reality with 2D options in head and neck cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Virtual Reality Interventions for the Improvement of Depression, Anxiety and Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Caregivers
Key facts
- Where
- Duarte, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- City of Hope Medical CenterDuarte, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- City of Hope Medical Center
- Trial code
- NCT06985784
- Record updated
- 10 November 2026
- Original description
This clinical trial tests how well a three-dimensional (3D) mindfulness virtual reality (VR) versus (vs) two-dimensional (2D) non-immersive interventions works in improving depression, anxiety, pain, and/or stress in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation or chemoradiation (C/RT), and their caregivers. HNC patients undergoing C/RT can experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, distress and pain that negatively impact their quality of life. VR allows for a realistic experience and works as an effective distraction tool from the state of pain or anxiety without use of drugs and with minimal associated risk to patients. VR has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and pain in non-cancer patients, however there is limited evidence of how well VR use works in cancer patients, especially in patients undergoing C/RT for HNC. Caregivers of these patients also experience high levels of anxiety and distress. Using VR interventions may improve depression, anxiety, pain and/or stress in patients with HNC undergoing C/RT and their caregivers.Read full original descriptionShow less
Enhancing Patient Well-Being: Feasibility of Virtual Reality in Head and Neck Cancer Patients to Improve Depressive Symptomatology, Anxiety and Pain
This clinical trial tests how well a three-dimensional (3D) mindfulness virtual reality (VR) versus (vs) two-dimensional (2D) non-immersive interventions works in improving depression, anxiety, pain, and/or stress in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation or chemoradiation (C/RT), and their caregivers. HNC patients undergoing C/RT can experience higher levels of depression, anxiety, distress and pain that negatively impact their quality of life. VR allows for a realistic experience and works as an effective distraction tool from the state of pain or anxiety without use of drugs and with minimal associated risk to patients. VR has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and pain in non-cancer patients, however there is limited evidence of how well VR use works in cancer patients, especially in patients undergoing C/RT for HNC. Caregivers of these patients also experience high levels of anxiety and distress. Using VR interventions may improve depression, anxiety, pain and/or stress in patients with HNC undergoing C/RT and their caregivers.
Inclusion: PATIENTS: Documented informed consent of the participant and/or legally authorized representative; Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained per institutional guidelines; PATIENTS: ≥ 18 years; PATIENTS: Self-reported normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing; PATIENTS: Ambulatory (permitted to use walking aids such as cane or crutch); PATIENTS: Ability to read and understand English for questionnaires; PATIENTS: Scheduled to undergo C/RT for their HNC; CAREGIVERS: Documented informed consent of the participant and/or legally authorized representative; Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained per institutional guidelines; CAREGIVERS: ≥ 18 years; CAREGIVERS: Self-reported normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing; CAREGIVERS: Ability to read and understand English for questionnaires; CAREGIVERS: A care giver identified by the patient and defined as a person who knows the patient well and is involved in the patient's medical care.
Exclusion: PATIENTS: Previous head and neck cancer treatment; PATIENTS: History of any psychiatric disease treatment with anti-depressants, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain (> 3 months); CAREGIVERS: History of any psychiatric disease treatment with anti-depressants, substance abuse, PTSD; PATIENTS: Serious mental illness; PATIENTS: Cancer in or around the eyes or ears; visual, hearing or cognitive impairment; CAREGIVERS: Serious mental illness; PATIENTS: An employee who is under the direct/ indirect supervision of the principal investigator (PI)/ a co-investigator/ the study manager; PATIENTS: A direct study team member; PATIENTS: Inability to complete the surveys; CAREGIVERS: An employee who is under the direct/ indirect supervision of the PI/ a co-investigator/ the study manager; CAREGIVERS: A direct study team member; CAREGIVERS: Inability to complete the surveys.