Reality PAWS mixed-reality dog therapy for children in isolation
Official title: Reality PAWS: Examining the Feasibility of a Mixed Reality Dog Visitation Program for Hospitalized Children in Isolation
Run by Children's Hospital Colorado · NCT07187245 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests whether Reality PAWS, a mixed-reality dog therapy delivered on a Meta Quest 3 headset, can safely reduce pain, anxiety, and loneliness in hospitalized children aged 8–21 who are in isolation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 8 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital Colorado Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 29, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 14, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07187245 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 8–21 admitted to Children's Hospital Colorado or Children's Hospital Los Angeles who are English-speaking and within the normal range of development are eligible.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with neurological or developmental disorders, a history of seizures, significant sensory deficits, motion sickness, cochlear implants, or current flu-like symptoms are unlikely to benefit or will be excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Children admitted under isolation precautions will wear a Meta Quest 3 headset and interact with the Reality PAWS mixed-reality program as a potential substitute for in-person dog therapy. The study will collect measures of feasibility and safety, track session compliance and immersion, and gather patient-reported outcomes on pain, anxiety, and loneliness. Participants will complete short surveys on demographics, perceived exertion, sickness, and immersion before and after sessions. The trial is conducted at two pediatric tertiary centers to test acceptability and operational workflow in real-world inpatient settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Reality PAWS could provide a safe, accessible alternative to in-person dog therapy that helps reduce pain, anxiety, and loneliness for isolated pediatric inpatients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies of virtual animal-assisted interventions and pediatric VR have shown early promise for reducing anxiety and pain, though Reality PAWS as a mixed-reality dog-therapy substitute is a novel application.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children 8 to 21 years old admitted to Children's Hospital Colorado or Children's Hospital Los Angeles * Children who are English-speaking (legal guardian may be English-speaking or Spanish-speaking) * Children within the normal range of development will be recruited for this study. Exclusion Criteria: * Traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, neurodevelopmental issues, or other neurological disorders and comorbidities that may confound study outcomes and administration of the study protocol and metrics (e.g., visual field disturbances, frequent nausea/ vomiting, not medically stable, intellectual disability) * Children with visual, auditory, or tactile deficits that would interfere with the ability to complete the experimental tasks * Children with a history of seizure disorder * Children currently sick with flu-like symptoms or experiencing a headache or earache * Children with known or suspected motion sickness * Children with cochlear implants or pace makers
Where it's running
-
Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Not yet recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.