Virtual Reality During Lumbar Punctures in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Summary

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.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Initial diagnosis of ALL or Lymphoma (as they receive the same therapy)
* In maintenance phase of treatment
* Still have 2 maintenance cycles planned
* Aged 7 and over
* Patient able to speak English
* Caregiver able to complete consent and study questionnaires in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

* Relapsed or refractory disease
* Previously required ultrasound guided LP procedure
* Already does LPs without anesthesia

Conditions2

Locations1 site

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