Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Completed
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT03998995 |
| Other study ID # |
J767 VR Children's Rehab |
| Secondary ID |
SCH2178 |
| Status |
Completed |
| Phase |
N/A
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
December 13, 2018 |
| Est. completion date |
April 30, 2019 |
Study information
| Verified date |
June 2019 |
| Source |
Sheffield Hallam University |
| Contact |
n/a |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Interventional
|
Clinical Trial Summary
This study explored the feasibility, acceptability and perceived the effectiveness of an
Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) 'game' in the rehabilitation of children with upper limb
injuries. The objectives of the clinical trial were:
- To qualitatively assess the perceptions of child and parent regarding the acceptability
of the game and equipment, and their perceptions of its effectiveness in reducing pain
and discomfort and facilitating movement, compared to usual physical therapy
experiences.
- To qualitatively assess physical therapy practitioners' perceptions of the
effectiveness, usability, feasibility, and acceptability of VR in their clinical setting
with this client group.
Hypothesis:
1. IVR rehabilitation game as an intervention will be acceptable to child patients and
their parents.
2. IVR rehabilitation game experience will show less procedural pain, discomfort, and
difficulties to movement, compared to usual physical therapy experiences.
3. IVR rehabilitation game will demonstrate any perceived disadvantages as a therapeutic
intervention, compared with usual rehabilitation care.
4. IVR rehabilitation game will demonstrate usability in the clinical setting during the
rehabilitation of a small sample of children with varying ULIs.
Description:
Children with upper limb and hand injuries often have to undergo repetitive therapeutic
exercises to regain or maximise function and movement which can be painful, uncomfortable and
tedious, reducing compliance and limiting the movement and function achieved. There is a
growing body of literature demonstrating the effectiveness of VR in reducing pain (e.g. in
burns). Its effectiveness in rehabilitation, especially in children, is a promising but
under-researched area. This study was focus on an under-researched target group in relation
to IVR interventions, children undergoing physical therapies to enhance or optimise the upper
limb and hand movement.
PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT AND INFORMED CONSENT 10 children were recruited, plus one parent from
each, and members of the clinical team of physiotherapists involved in their care. If
considered suitable for the research, participants were introduced to the study and recruited
via clinical staff responsible for their care. Staff was asked to provide information sheets
to those who show interest in participation, including separate sheets for both child and
parent.
If, having discussed the study with their child and other family members, parents were happy
for their child to participate, and the child also wishes to participate, parents were asked
to let a member of their clinical team know and arrangements were made for the date and time
when the research will be take place.
Focus group: clinical staff involved in physical therapy for children where the VR
intervention has been trialed was invited verbally, by letter or email to participate in a
focus group after the trial is complete, and provided with an information sheet.
Having expressed an interest in hearing more about the study, based on a simple verbal
explanation provided by staff, potential parents and children were provided with full,
printed information (age-appropriate for children) about the study to read and consider in
their own time. The information included a statement that participation is not obligatory and
reassurance that refusal to participate will not affect their care, also explain that having
decided to participate, the parent and child will be free to change their mind before, during
or immediately after the study (prior to data analysis), without giving a reason. Advice was
provided regarding how to withdraw their consent. Details regarding confidentiality,
anonymity, data access, storage, and retention also were provided. It was suggested that the
person retain the Information sheet for future reference and in order to make contact with
the research team. Parents/children who, having read the information sheet and discussed the
study together, wish to participate was asked to let the clinical staff know. Clinical staff
contacted IP and made arrangements for him to visit the Unit on one of the child's
appointment dates, to conduct the research. Shortly prior to using the VR for the trial on
the day and before written consent was taken, the child was offered a 5-10 minute exposure to
activities in the VR game (e.g. archery activity, rock climbing activity), to familiarise
themselves, check there are no problems, and avoid unnecessary distractions and confusion
during the procedure itself. If there were any problems or the child becomes unhappy about
participation at this stage, they were reassured that they don't have to participate if they
prefer not to and can also withdraw at any point during trial themselves if they wish. They
were reminded verbally at this stage that deciding the study is not for them would have no
consequences whatever for their future treatment.
If the child and their parent, having read the Information Sheet, expressed a wish to
participate, tried out the equipment, and asked any questions they have, wish to go ahead,
the parent was asked to sign a consent form and the child was asked to complete an assent
form. This was done in the presence of a clinician on the research team, ahead of the
intervention being implemented. Copies was be retained by the team, given to participants,
with one copy kept in the child's medical notes.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A short interview was conducted with each child and their parent
(together) after each trial and was audio recorded. These interviews took place in a quiet,
private location near to where the physiotherapy and trial have taken place.
Focus groups with staff took place after all children's trials, in a quiet and private
environment and at a time convenient for participants. Interviews and focus groups were
guided by pre-written schedules and audio-recorded.
Thematic analysis was applied to all the resulting qualitative data, resulting from
interviews with each child and parent, and focus group with therapeutic staff. This involved
a process of careful reading, coding and comparison in order to identify important patterns
in the data, focused on answering the aims of the study. Themes were generated based upon the
analysis process, which were discussed and refined within the research team.
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING On consenting to participate, participants were given a code
(e.g. 01C, 01P for child01, parent01), by which they were identified for the duration of the
study and in reports. A file linking participant identity to codes was created, password, and
stored securely within a study file on a SHU password protected computer, as well consent
forms. The lead investigator, IP, collect all data. He was audio record interviews and the
focus group. Password protected digital recorders was used during interviews/focus groups to
ensure data safety whilst on the ward and in transit back to the office. Recordings were
saved as audio files on University-based password protected computers, then deleted. Audio
files were used to create transcripts in the form of word documents, and both were securely
stored in password protected computer files held by research team members. No one from
outside the research team will have access to any information by which participant identity
and data can be linked. The SHU and MRC Guidelines for research with human participants were
followed in all aspects of the research, including data confidentiality. No one from the
research team (who is not also a member of participants' clinical team) will require access
to participants' medical records. Clinicians in the research team may make use of medical
records - and their knowledge of their patients - in deciding whether to introduce the
parent/child to the research study.
Consent forms are kept in locked cabinets in the locked office of the SHU-based project
manager, SL. The cabinets themselves are kept locked (by key) at all times and only the
key-holder will be able to access office and cupboards. Data collected for the study will be
treated with the utmost care, retained within the research team, password
protected/encrypted, and no one outside the team will have access. Personal information is
securely stored within the SHU-based password protected computer files and separately from
anonymised raw data. Files are password protected and encrypted for transfer.
Anonymised transcriptions made from the audio files and these are also saved as password
protected files, identified by participant code. In reports, quotes from individuals will be
only identified by participant code.
Throughout, data are stored securely and a study file maintained by SL. If the team is
disbanded prior to this time, data will be stored at Sheffield Hallam University's research
archive, SHURDA. Data will be collected and retained in accordance with the Data Protection
Act 1998. All source documents will be retained for a period of 10 years following the end of
the trial.
SAFETY ASSESSMENTS The Oculus Rift Virtual Reality headset was used with a laptop computer
and all equipment was safety tested by the university before it used on participants.
Appropriate health and safety measures were taken throughout the sessions, with each session
limited to 15 minutes, with breaks in-between. Playing virtual reality games can sometimes
cause disorientation, dizziness or nausea in some people, for example, those with severe
motion sickness. However, in the most recent versions of this technology, and in our own
recent trials of similar games, adverse reactions have been rare. Virtual rock climbing can
also create anxiety in some children, especially if they suffer from vertigo. To check they
were happy with the experience of VR before their sessions start, children were provided with
a short 'test' session in the headset before parent and child agree to continue. Once the
trial is underway, we asked the participating children to let us know straight away if they
begin to feel uncomfortable or unwell.
The study was monitored and audited in accordance with the Monitoring Standard Operating
Procedures of the Directorate of Research & Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation
Trust. All study related documents will be made available on request for monitoring and
audits by the Sponsor, the Health Research Authority and the relevant Research Ethics
Committee.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The study has been reviewed and approved by Sheffield Hallam
University Research Ethics Committee, NHS Research Ethics Committee, and the Research and
Development Dept. at Sheffield Children's Hospitals. The study was conducted in compliance
with a Research Ethics Committee favourable opinion, Health Research Authority approval and
Confirmation of Capacity & Capability at all participating sites.
The study was conducted in accordance with the International Conference for Harmonisation of
Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP), and the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social
Care (2nd Edition).
