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The Use of Virtual Reality Applications in Tension-Type Headaches

The Impact of Virtual Reality -Guided Visual and Auditory Therapy on Symptom Severity and Psychological Well-Being in Tension-Type Headache Patients: A Controlled Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06155669
Enrollment
140
Registered
2023-12-04
Start date
2023-12-15
Completion date
2024-12-31
Last updated
2025-01-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Analgesia, Headache, Tension-Type Headache

Brief summary

The primary aim of this research is to objectively assess the impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on pain symptoms in tension-type headache patients. This study is designed to understand the potential of VR in the treatment of tension-type headaches, exploring its ability to reduce pain severity and improve patients' quality of life.

Detailed description

Tension-type headache is a prevalent health issue that can cause significant discomfort to patients. The potential use of VR goggles as an effective alternative treatment option in these patients is crucial in clinical applications. The quality of life of tension-type headache patients is often affected. If VR goggle technology can enhance the quality of life for these patients, it would be a significant finding. Additionally, our research may contribute more data to the scientific literature on the impact of VR goggle technology in headache treatment. This could assist future researchers in designing similar studies and better understanding the results. If VR goggle technology proves effective, it could contribute to diversifying treatment options for tension-type headache patients and improving access to treatment. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the effect of virtual reality therapy on pain symptoms in tension-type headache patients. If the results are positive, VR technologies may alleviate pain and enhance the quality of life for these patients. It could also help them function better in their daily lives. If relaxation is found to be effective in the VR group, a new treatment option would be introduced for tension-type headache patients. This could contribute to the diversification of treatment options. The study poses no risk to the patient. The patient will lie on the bed, and the VR goggles will be used accordingly.

Interventions

DEVICEVirtual Reality

Participants will be selected from patients diagnosed with tension-type headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3) criteria. Selected participants, in addition to being administered 25 mg of dexketoprofen, will also use virtual reality goggles.

Sponsors

Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients between the ages of 18 and 65 * Patients meeting the criteria for Tension-Type Headache (TTH) in the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders * Patients willing to participate in the study * Patients indicating a VAS score of 50 and above * Patients without other suspected diagnoses * Patients with no known history of adverse reactions to the active ingredients of the drugs to be used * Conscious patients * Patients who are oriented and cooperative

Exclusion criteria

* Patients under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 * Patients who do not consent to participate in the study * Patients with vital signs outside normal limits * Patients with a history of adverse reactions to known NSAIDs * Individuals unable to determine pain intensity on the VAS * Patients with a VAS score of 50 mm and below * Pregnant individuals * Those with advanced systemic diseases * Patients with malignancies * Individuals with chronic liver and kidney diseases * Those using sedative and analgesic neuro-psychiatric drugs * Individuals with a history of psychological and neurological diseases * Patients who used analgesics within 8 hours before the examination

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Reduction in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Skala (VAS)Baseline (VAS-0) to 30th, 60th, and 120th minutes post-treatment.Change in pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rated their pain on a scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain ever experienced). The primary outcome was the change in VAS scores from baseline (VAS-0) to subsequent time points (VAS-30, VAS-60, and VAS-120), calculated as ΔVAS and ΔVAS% for each interval.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mood Improvement Measured by Likert ScaleBaseline to the 120th minute post-treatment.Participants' mood was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good). Mood scores were evaluated at baseline (Likert-0) and at the 120th minute (Likert-120), with the difference used to determine changes in mood.
Occurrence of Side EffectsFrom baseline to the 120th minute post-treatment.Side effects, including dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms, were recorded through patient self-reports and observations by research staff at the 30th, 60th, and 120th minutes.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026