Virtual reality offers new hope for sickle cell pain relief
NCT ID NCT06184126
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether using virtual reality (VR) alongside standard care can reduce pain for adults with sickle cell disease who are in the emergency department with a painful crisis. About 30 participants will be split into three groups to compare pain scores and comfort. The goal is to see if VR can be a helpful, drug-free addition to pain management.
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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 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
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 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult (age \> 18 years) emergency department patient * History of sickle cell disease * Presenting to the emergency department due to acute pain related to sickle cell disease thought to be due to vaso-occlusive crisis Exclusion Criteria: * Prior enrollment in this study * Presenting with a chief complaint suggestive of a complicated crisis (such as concern for acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, hepatic sequestration, pulmonary embolism) as determined by the clinical care provider * Not being treated with intravenous opioids for the vaso-occlusive crisis * Patients who lack the capacity to provide informed consent * Medical history of seizures or known intolerance to virtual reality * Disabilities like vision and hearing defects etc. that preclude the use of a head mounted virtual reality device. * Known to be pregnant * Incarcerated at the time of evaluation * Over the age of 89 years old
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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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University of Maryland Medical Systems
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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