Using virtual reality to ease port-a-cath access in children with cancer
Official title: Virtual Reality for Procedural Distress in Children Undergoing Port-a-Cath Access: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's · NCT04931745 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if using virtual reality can help kids with cancer feel less anxious and in less pain during a procedure called port-a-cath access.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT04931745 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 5 to 17 years who are scheduled for port-a-cath access and exhibit some level of pre-procedure anxiety.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of motion sickness, claustrophobia, or certain neurological disorders may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the use of virtual reality (VR) to reduce anxiety and pain during port-a-cath access in pediatric oncology patients. Children aged 5 to 17 who are undergoing this procedure will be enrolled, and their experiences will be compared using VR, traditional distraction methods, and no distraction. The goal is to assess whether VR can effectively alleviate the fear and discomfort associated with this common medical procedure. By addressing both the psychological and physical aspects of pain management, the study aims to improve the overall healthcare experience for these children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce anxiety and pain for children undergoing port-a-cath access, leading to better healthcare experiences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that virtual reality can effectively reduce anxiety and pain in various pediatric procedures, suggesting a promising approach for this application.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children age 5 to 17 years of age who are undergoing port-a-cath access * Pre-intervention Children's Fear Scale score of at least 1 with respect to the impending port-a-cath access Exclusion Criteria: * Subjective report of motion sickness within past 12 months (excluding anticipatory nausea a child may experience en route to their medical appointment) * Subjective history of claustrophobia Requires timely antimicrobial therapy * Visual, auditory, or cognitive impairment or language barrier precluding comprehension of study-related tasks or safe interaction with VR * Medical record documentation of current MRSA infection * Subjective history of concurrent respiratory infection (defined as cough, sore throat, fever, coryza, or sneezing within the past 24 hours) or gastrointestinal infection (defined as any vomiting or diarrhea within past 24 hours) * Previous enrollment in study * Seizure disorder * History of vertigo or neurological disorder that creates moderate to severe dizziness.
Where it's running
-
London Health Sciences Centre
London, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kamary Coriolano, PhD
- Email: kamary.coriolanodasilva@lhsc.on.ca
- Phone: 5196856174
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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.