Exploring Virtual Reality As an Intervention for Food Selectivity: a Clinical Trial

Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism

Treatments: Other: Individual food selectivity protocol; Other: Traditional food selectivity protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06656585

CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-011

Details and patient eligibility

About

Food selectivity is a common challenge among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with significant impacts on their nutrition and well-being. The main purpose of this study is to promote children's active participation in mealtime routines and encourage experimentation with new foods through an approach that emphasizes joy and serenity during mealtimes. The study will involve children with ASD between the ages of 4 and 10 years, of both sexes. Food selectivity will be assessed through interviews with parents and the use of specially created cards.

The protocol will include 45-minute sessions, twice a week, for a total of 48 sessions. The children will wear an Oculus headset and be exposed to the foods through this virtual reality tool, enhancing their engagement and willingness to try new foods in a fun and immersive way.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 4 to 10 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Food selectivity upon parental referral
• Child with diagnosis of autism

Exclusion criteria

• presence of other medical disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

30 participants in 2 patient groups

Food selectivity Group (2)

Experimental group

Description:

15 children in the comparator group who will undergo the treatment perform the procedure individually using the traditional method.

Treatment:

Other: Traditional food selectivity protocol

Food selectivity group (1)

Experimental group

Description:

15 children in the experimental group who will undergo the treatment perform the procedure individually with exposure to foods through Oculus

Treatment:

Other: Individual food selectivity protocol