VR games may help tame pain without pills
NCT ID NCT05836649
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether playing active or watching passive virtual reality (VR) games can change how healthy people feel heat and pressure pain. 265 adults used a VR headset in different ways, and researchers measured their pain thresholds. The goal is to see if VR could be a non-drug way to help manage pain.
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 (VR) headset with either passive or active games
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward using VR as a drug-free way to help manage pain during medical procedures or in daily life.
What could go wrong
This was a small, early study in healthy people, not patients with chronic pain. The effects may not apply to real-world pain conditions, and some people may experience motion sickness or discomfort.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Lucile Parkard Children's Hospital
Stanford, California, 94304, United States