Virtual reality may offer Drug-Free pain relief for jaw disorder sufferers

NCT ID NCT04851301

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study explores whether immersive virtual reality can help reduce chronic pain in people with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). About 259 participants will experience active VR, a sham VR, or no VR while their pain tolerance is measured. The goal is to understand how VR works in the brain compared to placebo, potentially leading to new non-drug pain treatments.

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
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug, low-risk way to manage chronic pain using virtual reality.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study (Phase 1/2) with a small sample, so results may not apply broadly. The sham VR group helps test if effects are just placebo, and naloxone is used to explore pain mechanisms, not as a treatment.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain temporomandibular joint disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PAIN PLACEBO TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER VIRTUAL REALITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Luana Colloca

Baltimore, Maryland, 21201-1512, United States

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