Virtual reality may distract patients from pain and fear during anesthesia
NCT ID NCT04163809
First seen Aug 14, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether using a virtual reality headset during regional anesthesia can lower patients' anxiety and pain. Adults aged 18 to 64 having elective surgery with regional anesthesia will either receive VR distraction or standard care. Researchers will measure anxiety and pain levels before and during the procedure to see if VR makes a difference.
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 distraction using an Oculus Go headset during regional anesthesia
- What this could lead to
- If effective, VR could become a simple, drug-free way to ease anxiety and pain during regional anesthesia procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and results may not apply to all patients. VR may not work for everyone, and some people might find the headset uncomfortable.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 64 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Elective pre-operative patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who are receiving regional anesthesia 2. Between ages 18-64 3. Patient must be able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients under the age of 18 \& above age 64 2. Visual impairment 3. Pregnant women 4. Diagnosis of epilepsy/seizures, dementia, and/or cognitive impairment
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90048, United States
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