An interventional study of ZenctuaryVR+ Interactive Virtual Reality in Palliative Care, Refractory Pain and Anxiety, sponsored by University Hospital, Strasbourg, France. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-22.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Palliative care patients frequently face a "symptom cluster" of pain (up to 96%), fatigue (up to 90%), and anxiety (up to 79%), which severely degrades their quality of life in their final months.The study is built on the concept of passive exposure therapy (VREP), which engages multiple senses to distract the brain from pain signals. By creating an "immersive distraction" or a "flow state," VR can activate the brain's reward networks and reduce activity in areas associated with pain perception. Unlike most existing VR research in palliative care which uses "passive" VR (like watching a 360-degree video), this study uses interactive VR. Patients can perform simple actions-like grabbing or dropping virtual objects-within a calming natural environment, which may better support their sense of autonomy and dignity. Because this is a pilot study, the "Go/No-Go" decision for future larger trials depends on a strict composite of three factors:
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants receive a daily 10-minute session of the "ZenctuaryVR+" interactive virtual reality program for 14 consecutive days. Unlike passive VR, this intervention allows patients to interact with a calming natural environment via a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) and hand controllers to support autonomy and provide distraction from refractory symptoms. The intervention is supervised by trained clinical staff who perform a daily bedside "go/no-go" assessment. It is administered as a non-pharmacological supportive care tool alongside standard palliative treatments to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and impact of interactive VR on pain, anxiety, and overall quality of life.
Device: ZenctuaryVR+ Interactive Virtual Reality
The ZenctuaryVR+ intervention is an interactive virtual reality (VR) program delivered via a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) equipped with physiological biosensors (EEG and skin conductance). Participants are immersed in a calming natural environment where they perform simple, low-cognitive-load interactions (grabbing/moving virtual objects) to promote autonomy and provide distraction from refractory symptoms. The intervention is administered once daily for a 10-minute session over 14 consecutive days. Each session is supervised by a trained hospital psychologist or mental-health staff member who monitors the patient's experience in real-time via a tablet. Safety is ensured through a daily bedside "go/no-go" clinical assessment and the use of the VRISE scale to monitor for cybersickness. This supportive care tool is used alongside standard palliative pharmacological treatments.
Also known as: ZenctuaryVR+
Feasibility Success : Adherence
The participant must complete at least 11 out of the 14 planned daily interactive VR sessions.
Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period.
Feasibility Success : Duration
The mean duration of all completed sessions (J1 through J14) must be ≥ 7.5 minutes.
Time frame: Calculated at the end of the 14-day period
Feasibility Success : Safety
Continuous monitoring for any serious adverse events definitely or probably related to the device throughout the entire study duration.
Time frame: From Day 1 (first VR exposure) to Day 14 (final session).
Feasibility Success : Tolerance
VRISE Score assessed daily, immediately following each VR session. The final average score, calculated from the 14 daily post-session assessments, must be ≥ 25
Time frame: Assessed daily, immediately following each VR session, over the 14-day period.
Plan to share: No
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University Hospital, Strasbourg, France