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Evaluating the Impact of Virtual Reality on Mood in Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Medication-Refractory Essential Tremor

Evaluating the Impact of Virtual Reality on Mood in Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Medication-Refractory Essential Tremor

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07287605
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-12-17
Start date
2025-06-19
Completion date
2027-03-31
Last updated
2025-12-17

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

Conditions

Preoperative Anxiety

Keywords

medication-refractory essential tremor, focused ultrasound, virtual reality intervention, MRgFUS, preoperative anxiety

Brief summary

The primary objective of this randomized study is to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR) video on pre-treatment anxiety levels in individuals undergoing magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment for medication-refractory essential tremor (ET). Participants will be randomized to view one of two VR videos, and pre-treatment anxiety levels will be compared between groups. As a secondary objective, the study will compare patient concerns (including claustrophobia, mental preparedness, and fear of pain, as well as any additional concerns identified during the study) between the two randomized groups.

Detailed description

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) intervention in reducing preoperative anxiety among adults scheduled to undergo magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor. Sixty adult participants scheduled for MRgFUS will be randomized to view one of two 6-minute immersive VR procedural videos using a headset prior to treatment. Preoperative anxiety will be assessed using validated self-report instruments, including the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS), the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State version (STAI-S). The primary objective is to compare preoperative anxiety levels between the two VR video groups. A secondary objective is to compare patient concerns between groups, including but not limited to claustrophobia, mental preparedness, and fear of pain, as well as any additional concerns identified through patient reporting.

Interventions

DEVICEVR headset: video number 1

A 6-minute virtual reality (VR) video that contains sights and sounds that might affect mood. The video is viewed on a Meta Quest 2 (128GB) VR headset with Touch Controllers. Standard preoperative care is provided to all participants.

DEVICEVR headset: video number 2

A 6-minute virtual reality (VR) video that contains sights and sounds that might affect mood. The video is viewed on a Meta Quest 2 (128GB) VR headset with Touch Controllers. Standard preoperative care is provided to all participants.

Sponsors

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Participants are blinded to which of the two possible VR videos they will see.

Intervention model description

Assigning participants to an intervention with VR exposure in order to assess the health outcomes of anxiety levels. Participants are blinded to which of the two possible VR videos they will see.

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must be over the age of 18 and have been approved and consented for MRgFUS thalamotomy for medication-refractory essential tremor * Subjects must be and willing to give consent and able to attend all study visits and MRgFUS procedure, understanding the associated risks and benefits. * Participants must be willing or able to complete questionnaires or have someone who can complete them on their behalf.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients prone to epileptic seizures and/or sensory issues will be excluded from the study. * Patients who have previously undergone an MRgFUS procedure (ipsilateral or contralateral to the hemisphere currently being treated) will be excluded.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Evaluation of Anxiety Levels by Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A)Questionnaires will be collected at two time points: 1.Baseline assessment day (two weeks before the MRgFUS procedure), before and after watching the VR video. 2.Treatment day, prior to the MRgFUS procedure.Participants will complete questionnaires to establish baseline anxiety levels. A 10-point numeric rating scale displayed horizontally, ranging from 0 = Not at all anxious to 10 = Extremely anxious. Participants mark the number that best represents their current level of anxiety. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Evaluation of Anxiety Levels by Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS)Questionnaires will be collected at two time points: 1.Baseline assessment day (two weeks before the MRgFUS procedure), before and after watching the VR video. 2.Treatment day, prior to the MRgFUS procedure.Participants will complete questionnaires to establish baseline anxiety levels. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) is a 12-item self-administered questionnaire used to assess preoperative anxiety. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale (1 = not at all to 5 = extremely). Higher scores indicate greater anxiety or information need. In this study, patient concerns may include anesthesia, head shaving, potential side effects and desire for additional procedural information.
Evaluation of Anxiety Levels by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State Subscale (STAI-S)Questionnaires will be collected at two time points: 1.Baseline assessment day (two weeks before the MRgFUS procedure), before and after watching the VR video. 2.Treatment day, prior to the MRgFUS procedure.Participants will complete questionnaires to establish baseline anxiety levels. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State Subscale (STAI-S) is a validated self-report questionnaire used to measure situational (state) anxiety - how the participant feels right now, at this moment. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 = not at all to 4 = very much so. Higher scores indicating greater anxiety.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Participant feedback on the VR experienceFeedback will be collected at two time points: 1.Baseline assessment day (two weeks before the MRgFUS procedure), before and after watching the VR video. 2.Treatment day, prior to the MRgFUS procedure.Participants will be asked to provide feedback on the VR experience.
Adverse Effects Associated With Watching the VR VideoAdverse effects will be monitored at two time points: 1.Baseline assessment day (two weeks before the MRgFUS procedure). 2.Treatment day, prior to the MRgFUS procedure.Participants will be monitored for any adverse effects experienced during or immediately after viewing the VR video. Reported effects may include, but are not limited to, dizziness, nausea, eye strain, headache, motion sickness, or discomfort related to wearing the VR headset. All adverse effects will be self-reported by participants. The frequency, type, and severity of adverse effects will be recorded and compared between the two randomized VR video groups.

Countries

Canada

Contacts

Primary ContactLeila Harwood
leila.harwood@sunnybrook.ca4167796698
Backup ContactNadia Scantlebury, PhD
leila.harwood@sunnybrook.ca4164806100

Outcome results

None listed

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