Virtual Reality During Lumbar Punctures in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (NCT06722638)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Over 90% of children and adolescents diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) will survive long term. Part of the successful treatment that patients receive is the delivery of chemotherapy directly into their spinal fluid via a spinal tap. This takes place approximately 20 times over the course of treatment. Most children and adolescents receive general anesthesia during this procedure to manage pain and anxiety. It is now understood that general anesthesia contributes to impairments in brain functioning in the long term. Therefore, it is important to identify ways to manage pain and anxiety during these procedures that does not include general anesthesia. The investigators propose to test whether virtual reality (VR: a technology that provides immersive experiences utilizing content uploaded on a headset), used with local anesthesia and the option for an anti-anxiety medication will be an adequate replacement for general anesthesia for participants 7 years of age and over, with ALL in the maintenance phase of treatment.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (4 items).
Location: Children's National Hospital — Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Age range: 7 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Use of Virtual Reality Headset (OTHER)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Relapsed or refractory disease
- Previously required ultrasound guided LP procedure
- Already does LPs without anesthesia
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Children's National Hospital — Washington D.C., District of Columbia
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (202) 476-2140
Email: jlevine@childrensnational.org
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Pediatric
- Low GI Diet in Children and Adolescents With ALL — Hartford, Connecticut
- Behavioral Parenting Skills as a Novel Target for Improving Pediatric Medication Adherence: Study 3 — Buffalo, New York
- Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children and Adolescents — Boston, Massachusetts
Explore by condition: All Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Pediatric clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.