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The aim of this clinical trial is to learn if people with migraine can learn a type of biobehavioral therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by using a virtual reality headset. Researchers are studying if this type of mindfulness therapy helps to decrease migraine-related disability. Participants will be randomized to treatment as usual or active virtual reality groups for four weeks. Everyone will keep symptom diaries, complete surveys, attend two clinic visits, and have two blood draws.
This study is designed to evaluate the clinical utility of REACT NeuroVR in patients with episodic migraine who are already receiving stable CGRP monoclonal antibody therapy. By combining pharmacologic advances with digitally delivered psychological support, we aim to assess whether this integrated approach can further reduce headache frequency, improve migraine-specific quality of life, and reduce anticipatory anxiety. Additionally, we will explore changes in inflammatory biomarkers to examine potential physiologic correlates of intervention-related improvement.
Ultimately, this study addresses a critical gap in migraine care: the integration of effective, accessible behavioral health strategies into the treatment paradigm for patients who continue to experience burdensome symptoms despite preventive therapy.
1. Specific Aims and Objectives
Aim 1 (Pilot and Feasibility Study):
To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of personalized Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered via REACT NeuroVR. Focus groups with key stakeholders (patients, clinicians, and implementation experts) will be conducted to obtain feedback on intervention content, delivery, and outcome measures. Insights from this pilot phase will inform refinements to the intervention and study procedures for the subsequent full-scale clinical trial.
Aim 2 (Primary Efficacy Aim):
To determine whether personalized ACT therapy delivered via REACT NeuroVR reduces the number of monthly headache days in patients with episodic migraine compared to baseline.
Aim 3 (Psychological and Functional Outcomes):
To evaluate whether REACT NeuroVR improves migraine-specific quality of life and reduces anticipatory anxiety related to migraine events.
Aim 4 (Exploratory Biological and Sensory Aims):
To explore changes in inflammatory biomarkers.
Participants will:
Be randomized to treatment as usual or active VR participants Everyone who completes run-in will have a chance to try the VR device and have an additional screen.
Everyone will have a blood test at the beginning and the end of the study. Active participants will be loaned a VR device to take home for four weeks and will do the study activities as well as use a variety of experiences when they choose (such as beach visits, virtual ice baths and others) Participants will fill out surveys throughout the study.
Visit the clinic twice during the study Keep a diary of their symptoms and number of migraines
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment as usual | No Intervention | This group will remain on their CGRP injectable monoclonal antibody migraine preventive medication | |
| Active Treatment | Active Comparator | This group will participate in the four week active virtual reality treatment and will also remain on their CGRP mAb medication. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT therapy delivered by REACT NeuroVR headset | Behavioral | This is ACT/mindfulness therapy delivered via a virtual reality headset. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Phase one: Qualitative Interview of User Experience | Assessment of user experience captured using open ended questions, yes/no questions, and a 4-point scale ranging from "Very Poor" to "Very Good". | 2 weeks |
| Phase one: rate of participants using virtual reality for migraine-- qualitative data | Assessment of how often and how long participants used the devices. Two 6-point scales included ranging from "Never" to "12-14 days" as well as "Under 10 minutes" to "More than 2 hours". | 2 weeks |
| Phase two: Efficacy as described by number of headache days | 6 Months |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Phase two: Headache Disability Inventory | Assessment of acceptance and commitment (ACT) treatment on migraine-associated disability | 6 Months |
| Phase two: Change in Inflammatory Biomarker panel-NULISAseq Inflammation 250 |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| carolyn bernstein, MD | Contact | 6177329700 | cabernstein@bwh.harvard.edu | |
| asimina lazaridou, PhD | Contact | alazaridou@bwh.harvard.edu |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| carolyn bernstein, MD | BWH | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham and Womens Hospital | Boston | Massachusetts | 02155 | United States | ||
| Brigham and Women's Health Care Center |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37176049 | Background | Yamanaka G, Hayashi K, Morishita N, Takeshita M, Ishii C, Suzuki S, Ishimine R, Kasuga A, Nakazawa H, Takamatsu T, Watanabe Y, Morichi S, Ishida Y, Yamazaki T, Go S. Experimental and Clinical Investigation of Cytokines in Migraine: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 6;24(9):8343. doi: 10.3390/ijms24098343. | |
| 37521355 | Background |
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We will share demographics including age and sex within the BWH researchers.
current to completion of final publication, approximately five years
Only BWH research team will have access to the IPD
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D008881 | Migraine Disorders |
| D020325 | Migraine with Aura |
| D020326 | Migraine without Aura |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D051270 | Headache Disorders, Primary |
| D020773 | Headache Disorders |
| D001927 | Brain Diseases |
| D002493 | Central Nervous System Diseases |
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There will be two groups, treatment as usual and active intervention.
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Will be measuring serum samples prior to study and at 12-week time to assess for change
| baseline and 12 weeks |
| Anxiety and Depression | Migraine related anxiety and depression will be assessed by PROMIS29 | baseline and 12 weeks |
| Chestnut Hill |
| Massachusetts |
| 02467 |
| United States |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | Chestnut Hill | Massachusetts | 02467 | United States |
| Viderman D, Tapinova K, Dossov M, Seitenov S, Abdildin YG. Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jul 14;10:1203670. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670. eCollection 2023. |
| 35962530 | Background | Thuraiaiyah J, Erritzoe-Jervild M, Al-Khazali HM, Schytz HW, Younis S. The role of cytokines in migraine: A systematic review. Cephalalgia. 2022 Dec;42(14):1565-1588. doi: 10.1177/03331024221118924. Epub 2022 Aug 12. |
| 32982095 | Background | R P, S C N, S H, K R. Migraine Disability, Quality of Life, and Its Predictors. Ann Neurosci. 2020 Jan;27(1):18-23. doi: 10.1177/0972753120929563. Epub 2020 Jul 3. |
| 39974259 | Background | P AS, S G. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Psychological Well-Being: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2025 Jan 20;17(1):e77705. doi: 10.7759/cureus.77705. eCollection 2025 Jan. |
| 37016284 | Background | Musubire AK, Cheema S, Ray JC, Hutton EJ, Matharu M. Cytokines in primary headache disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Headache Pain. 2023 Apr 4;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s10194-023-01572-7. |
| 36909005 | Background | Aditya S, Rattan A. Advances in CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies as Migraine Therapy: A Narrative Review. Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2023 Jan-Mar;11(1):11-18. doi: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_95_22. Epub 2023 Jan 14. |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |