Could a VR headset ease cancer pain without pills?

NCT ID NCT07318519

First seen Jan 11, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 24 times

Summary

This study is testing whether a virtual reality (VR) program that uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with chronic cancer pain. Forty adults with cancer and ongoing pain will use the VR headset at home for at least 10 minutes daily over two weeks. The goal is to see if the device is easy to use, safe, and whether it reduces pain and distress compared to a tablet-based video.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Duke University School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • MedStar Health Research Institute

    RECRUITING

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

virtual reality program delivering cognitive behavioral therapy

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to manage chronic cancer pain at home, reducing reliance on painkillers.

What could go wrong

This is a very early feasibility study with only 40 people, so results may not apply widely. The VR device may cause nausea or motion sickness in some users.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer Cancer Pain Chronic Pain neoplasm Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.