Comparing Virtual Reality (VR) to Non-VR for Decreasing Preoperative/Procedural Anxiety
NCT ID: NCT05094141
Last Updated: 2025-07-11
Study Results
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View full resultsBasic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
89 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2021-01-13
2024-05-14
Brief Summary
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The hypothesis is that using Virtual Reality (VR) will objectively decrease anxiety scores measured by mYPAS by five percent (primary outcome).
The secondary outcome will be the parents or the legally authorized representative (LAR) subjective reports of anxiety with the use of VR.
The Kind VR device is used in house at Children's Health in the Dallas and Plano campuses. The VR device used in this study qualifies as exempt from FDA IDE regulations. It is a non-significant risk, non-invasive, interactive video device the user wears like goggles. The study carries minimal risks to the subjects and is designed to minimize patient discomfort from placement or motion sickness. Furthermore, the device has disposable covers for protection against infection and can be sanitized between uses, once the disposable covers are removed. Children's Health System of Texas (CHST) and this research group are not partnering entities with the Kind VR, and the Kind VR device is not being studied. The effect of virtual reality (VR) on preprocedural anxiety as measured by questionnaires and the observations of the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) is being studied
Most patients coming to the Clinic of Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) are under chronic care for their ongoing disease and are likely to be coming to the CCBD at least twice in a 6-month period. The CCBD schedule will be reviewed by the researchers for patients age 5-12, requiring port access at least twice during the next six-month period. Patient families whose child meets the basic screening criteria, and have no exclusion criteria, will be approached privately as possible participants in the study. Up to 100 subjects will be enrolled over a 2-year period. Once the subject/parent or LAR agrees to participate, study staff will randomize the subjects into which standard of care distraction method for anxiety management they will receive first in this study.
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Detailed Description
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2. They then came to their cancer center (CCBD) appointment for port access for chemotherapy and were randomized to the Virtual Reality (VR) distraction group first, OR the Non-Virtual Reality (Non-VR) Distraction group first.
3. At this CCBD visit, they then participated in their port needle access as part of standard of care for their cancer treatment using either VR or non-VR distraction for anxiety mitigation, depending on randomization, and were observed during the needle access with the Modified Yale Pre-procedural Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) to assess anxiety during the needle access procedure. The mYPAS is an objective, validated, observational anxiety assessment tool.
4. In addition, parents were asked subjective questions as to how they thought their child tolerated Port needle access with the VR versus Non-VR accordingly.
5. The study personnel then asked when their next potential cancer center appointment for port access to schedule participation in the second arm according to their randomization stratification. In this way, each study participant served as their own control.
6. At the next possible port needle access appointment, they were once again observed using the mYPAS scale for the 2nd port access, with either VR or Non-VR distraction, depending on initial randomization group.
7. Parents were once again asked subjective questions as to how they thought their child tolerated Port needle access with the VR versus Non-VR accordingly.
8. The participants data could Only be included in the study if they participated in both study arms to completion.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
CROSSOVER
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
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Non-VR (Virtual reality)
The patient is not assigned to play the VR game. mYPAS scoring for port access is done.
No interventions assigned to this group
VR (Virtual Reality)
The patient is assigned to play the VR game for 15 minutes prior to actual port access procedure start. mYPAS scoring while playing VR device for Port access
Virtual reality
Virtual reality game played during port needle access.
Interventions
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Virtual reality
Virtual reality game played during port needle access.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* 5-12 years of age
* Patient requiring their port accessed twice or more within a 6 months period
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
* Patients requiring recovery in PICU or sites other than PACU
* If parents or subject is not willing to participate
* Subjects with severe developmental delays and subjects with developmental challenges preventing them from keeping the VR device on are also excluded
* Patients who will not be in CCBD for port access at least twice in 6 months
5 Years
12 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Sarah E Rebstock
Associate Professor
Principal Investigators
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Sarah Rebstock, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
UT Southwestern
Neethu Chandran
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
UT Southwestern
Locations
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Kiley Poppino
Dallas, Texas, United States
Countries
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References
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Kain ZN, Mayes LC, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Karas DE, McClain BC. Preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and behavioral recovery in young children undergoing surgery. Pediatrics. 2006 Aug;118(2):651-8. doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-2920.
Myers RM, Balsamo L, Lu X, Devidas M, Hunger SP, Carroll WL, Winick NJ, Maloney KW, Kadan-Lottick NS. A prospective study of anxiety, depression, and behavioral changes in the first year after a diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. Cancer. 2014 May 1;120(9):1417-25. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28578. Epub 2014 Jan 28.
Pelcovitz D, Libov BG, Mandel F, Kaplan S, Weinblatt M, Septimus A. Posttraumatic stress disorder and family functioning in adolescent cancer. J Trauma Stress. 1998 Apr;11(2):205-21. doi: 10.1023/A:1024442802113.
Wu Y, Chen J, Ma W, Guo L, Feng H. Virtual reality in preoperative preparation of children undergoing general anesthesia: a randomized controlled study. Anaesthesiologie. 2022 Dec;71(Suppl 2):204-211. doi: 10.1007/s00101-022-01177-w. Epub 2022 Aug 1.
Agbayani CG, Fortier MA, Kain ZN. Non-pharmacological methods of reducing perioperative anxiety in children. BJA Educ. 2020 Dec;20(12):424-430. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2020.08.003. Epub 2020 Oct 21. No abstract available.
Chiu PL, Li H, Yap KY, Lam KC, Yip PR, Wong CL. Virtual Reality-Based Intervention to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety in Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Oct 2;6(10):e2340588. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40588.
Xu H, Hou J, Zhou J, Wang S. Effects of Virtual Reality on Preoperative Anxiety in Adult Patients: An Updated Meta-analysis. J Perianesth Nurs. 2025 Apr;40(2):422-430.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2024.05.009. Epub 2024 Sep 26.
Kain ZN, Mayes LC, Cicchetti DV, Bagnall AL, Finley JD, Hofstadter MB. The Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale: how does it compare with a "gold standard"? Anesth Analg. 1997 Oct;85(4):783-8. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199710000-00012.
Mai CL, Burns S, August DA, Bhattacharya ST, Mueller A, Houle TT, Anderson TA, Peck J. Cardiac index as a surrogate marker for anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory endoscopy: a prospective cohort study. Physiol Meas. 2024 Oct 9;45(10). doi: 10.1088/1361-6579/ad805e.
Hu L, Hua Y, Wang L, Mao Z, Jia X, Lei Z, Chang D, Cheng W. Effect of Short-term Deep Breathing Exercises on Perioperative Anxiety and Pain in Pediatric Orthopedic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Perianesth Nurs. 2025 Feb;40(1):69-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2024.03.009. Epub 2024 Jul 9.
Thung A, Tumin D, Uffman JC, Tobias JD, Buskirk T, Garrett W, Karczewski A, Saadat H. The Utility of the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale for Predicting Success in Pediatric Patients Undergoing MRI Without the Use of Anesthesia. J Am Coll Radiol. 2018 Sep;15(9):1232-1237. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2017.12.022. Epub 2018 Mar 2.
Desai B, Newcomb N, Plost B, Waldron S, Sarkar K, Haber L. Virtual reality use in pediatric patients for orthopedic clinical procedures: A randomized prospective trial of efficacy. J Child Orthop. 2024 May 26;18(4):414-420. doi: 10.1177/18632521241254707. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Chan EA, Chung JW, Wong TK, Lien AS, Yang JY. Application of a virtual reality prototype for pain relief of pediatric burn in Taiwan. J Clin Nurs. 2007 Apr;16(4):786-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01719.x.
Smith KL, Wang Y, Colloca L. Impact of Virtual Reality Technology on Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Burn Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Virtual Real. 2022 Jan;2:751735. doi: 10.3389/frvir.2021.751735. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
Rodriguez S, Caruso TJ. What every anesthesiologist should know about virtual reality. Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Dec;32(12):1276-1277. doi: 10.1111/pan.14464. No abstract available.
Tas FQ, van Eijk CAM, Staals LM, Legerstee JS, Dierckx B. Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update. Paediatr Anaesth. 2022 Dec;32(12):1292-1304. doi: 10.1111/pan.14546. Epub 2022 Sep 1.
Provided Documents
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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan
Other Identifiers
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STU-2020-0607
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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