Virtual Reality-Based 360° Clinic Walkthrough for Reducing Examination Anxiety in Preschool Children

Berker Okay

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Fear; Anxiety; Stress, Psychological

Treatments: Behavioral: irtual Reality 360° Clinic Walkthrough

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07255365

248-2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigates whether a short, 360° virtual reality (VR) pre-examination walkthrough can reduce anxiety, behavioral distress, and physiological stress responses in preschool children undergoing routine outpatient physical examination. A total of 100 children aged 3-5.5 years were randomized to either a VR group, which viewed a 3-minute real-clinic 360° video via VR goggles, or a control group, which experienced routine waiting only. Primary outcome measures include the Face-Legs-Activity-Cry-Consolability (FLACC) score and crying duration during examination. Secondary outcomes include heart and respiratory rate changes, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBS) scores, parent satisfaction, and physician-rated examination ease. The study aims to determine whether immersive, procedure-specific VR preparation can improve examination experience and cooperation while reducing stress for both children and caregivers.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 36 to 66 months old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Children aged 3 to 5.5 years (36-66 months)
• Clinically stable and presenting for routine outpatient physical examination
• Able to engage with a short audiovisual VR/360° video
• Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Verbal assent from the child when appropriate

Exclusion criteria

• Severe neurodevelopmental delay or communication difficulty
• Autism spectrum disorder or significant behavioral dysregulation
• History of epilepsy or photosensitivity
• Visual or hearing impairment preventing VR use
• Acute illness requiring urgent intervention
• Body temperature ≥ 38.0°C at presentation
• Previous exposure to VR or 360° clinic simulations
• Concomitant sedative medication use
• Refusal of participation by parent or child

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

irtual Reality (VR) Group

Experimental group

Description:

Children in this arm receive a 3-minute, 360° virtual reality (VR) pre-examination walkthrough of the actual pediatric outpatient clinic using a smartphone-based VR headset. The video presents the waiting area, greeting the pediatrician, and routine non-invasive examination steps from a child's eye-level perspective. Intervention(s): Behavioral: Virtual Reality 360° Clinic Walkthrough

Treatment:

Behavioral: irtual Reality 360° Clinic Walkthrough

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Children in this arm undergo standard pre-examination waiting without any VR or structured visual preparation. The waiting period is kept similar (approximately 3-5 minutes) to match the duration of the VR exposure. Intervention(s): None (routine waiting only)