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

NCT ID: NCT07287605

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-19

Study Completion Date

2027-03-31

Brief Summary

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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

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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.

Conditions

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Preoperative Anxiety

Keywords

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

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

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.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

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

Study Groups

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Exposure to Video number 1

Each participant will be randomized to watch Video number 1, 6-minute VR video associated with the study. Participants will be blinded to the type of video. The study will evaluate the impact of the sights and sounds in the video on anxiety levels.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

VR headset: video number 1

Intervention Type DEVICE

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.

Exposure to Video number 2

Each participant will be randomized to watch Video number 2, 6-minute VR video associated with the study. Participants will be blinded to the type of video. The study will evaluate the impact of the sights and sounds in the video on anxiety levels.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

VR headset: video number 2

Intervention Type DEVICE

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.

Interventions

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VR 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.

Intervention Type DEVICE

VR 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.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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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.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Dr. Jennifer Rabin, PhD, C.Psych

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Sunnybrook

Locations

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Sunnybrook Health Sciences

North York, Ontario, Canada

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Canada

Central Contacts

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Leila Harwood

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 4167796698

Email: [email protected]

Nadia Scantlebury, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 4164806100

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Leila Harwood

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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6390

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id