360° VR clinic walkthrough to calm preschoolers before exams
VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED 360° CLINIC WALKTHROUGH: EFFECTS ON EXAMINATION ANXIETY AND PHYSICIAN EXAMINATION EASE IN CHILDREN
We will try a short 3-minute 360° VR walkthrough to see if it reduces anxiety and distress in children aged 3 to 5½ during routine outpatient physical examinations.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 36 Months to 66 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Haseki Training and Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07255365 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 100 children aged 36–66 months presenting for routine outpatient physical examinations. Participants were randomized to view a 3-minute real-clinic 360° VR video via goggles before their exam or to receive routine waiting only. Primary outcomes are observed behavioral distress measured by the FLACC score and crying duration during the examination, with secondary outcomes including heart and respiratory rate changes, Wong-Baker Faces pain scores, parent satisfaction, and physician-rated ease of examination. The trial tests whether a brief, immersive, procedure-specific VR walkthrough can improve cooperation and lower physiological and behavioral stress for young children and their caregivers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are clinically stable children aged 3 to 5.5 years presenting for routine outpatient physical exams who can wear VR goggles and engage with a short audiovisual 360° video, with parental consent and child assent.
Not a fit: Children with severe neurodevelopmental delay, autism spectrum disorder or significant behavioral dysregulation, photosensitivity or epilepsy, visual or hearing impairments that prevent VR use, acute illness or fever ≥38.0°C, recent sedative use, or prior exposure to VR/360° clinic simulations are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make routine physical exams less stressful for young children, improve cooperation, and reduce physiological stress for both children and caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pediatric studies using VR for procedural preparation and pain management have shown promise in reducing anxiety and distress, though real-clinic 360° walkthroughs for routine examinations are a relatively novel application.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 3 to 5.5 years (36-66 months) * Clinically stable and presenting for routine outpatient physical examination * Able to engage with a short audiovisual VR/360° video * Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian * Verbal assent from the child when appropriate Exclusion Criteria: * Severe neurodevelopmental delay or communication difficulty * Autism spectrum disorder or significant behavioral dysregulation * History of epilepsy or photosensitivity * Visual or hearing impairment preventing VR use * Acute illness requiring urgent intervention * Body temperature ≥ 38.0°C at presentation * Previous exposure to VR or 360° clinic simulations * Concomitant sedative medication use * Refusal of participation by parent or child
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Istanbul
- SBÜ Sultangazi Haseki Training and Research Hospital — Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Berker Okay
- Email: drberkerokay@gmail.com
- Phone: +905385860550
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.