Virtual reality to improve emotion understanding in children with autism
Official title: Efficacy of a Virtual Reality-Mediated Intervention on Emotion Recognition and Understanding in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Run by Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica · NCT07367256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether an Oculus virtual-reality program helps children with autism better recognize and understand emotions compared with a traditional intervention.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 7 Years to 10 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Messina, Italy) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07367256 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children with autism who have a developmental or cognitive quotient above 80, can speak in full sentences, can narrate events not present, and do not have other medical disorders.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who are nonverbal, have QS/QI ≤ 80, or have other medical disorders were excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this specific protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional protocol compares an immersive Oculus-based program to a traditional intervention aimed at improving recognition of basic and complex emotions, expanding emotional vocabulary, and teaching links between situations, thoughts, and emotions. Children complete language and narrative-based eligibility screening and receive the assigned intervention with pre- and post-intervention measures of emotion recognition and related skills. The protocol specifically targets high-functioning children with ASD (QS/QI > 80) who can speak in sentences and narrate non-present events. The trial is conducted in person at the Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica in Messina, Italy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could help participating children better identify and label emotions and improve social understanding and interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small-scale studies using virtual reality to teach social-emotional skills in autism have shown promising but mixed results, so this approach is supported by preliminary evidence but not yet definitive.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Language in sentences * Ability to narrate events not present * QS/QI\>80 Exclusion Criteria: * presence of other medical disorders
Where it's running
-
Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
Messina, Italy, Italy Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Flavia Marino — Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)
- Study coordinator: Germana Doria
- Email: germana.doria@irib.cnr.it
- Phone: +393465142289
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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.