Virtual Reality for Pediatric Perioperative Preparation
56 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
This pilot randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether a virtual reality (VR) preparation program can improve the perioperative experience of children aged 3 to 12 years undergoing elective surgery. Children scheduled for surgery at HM Hospital in Madrid, Spain, will be randomly assigned to receive either a VR-based educational experience (NixiKit) or the standard preoperative preparation routinely provided by nursing staff.
The VR intervention includes an immersive virtual tour of the preoperative area, operating room, and recovery room, designed to familiarize children with the surgical process in an age-appropriate manner. The control group will receive the usual verbal explanation and support provided by nurses before surgery.
The study will assess children's fear, preoperative anxiety, cooperation during anesthesia induction, and postoperative pain. Parents' experience and satisfaction with care will also be evaluated. The results of this pilot study will help determine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of VR as a nursing-led preparation strategy for pediatric surgical patients.
Who can participate
Age range
3 Years – 12 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Children aged 3 to 12 years.
* Scheduled for elective surgery under anesthesia.
* Parent or legal guardian owns a mobile phone.
* Ability to understand simple instructions, according to clinical judgment and developmental level.
* Sufficient Spanish language proficiency of the child and at least one parent or legal guardian.
* Written informed consent from parents or legal guardians and child assent when applicable.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Emergency or urgent surgery.
* Moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder or intellectual disability limiting understanding of the intervention or study scales.
* Severe visual or hearing impairment preventing use of virtual reality.
* History of photosensitive epilepsy, severe vertigo, severe motion sickness, or other conditions that could worsen with virtual reality.
* Severe decompensated psychiatric disorder.
* Use of intense sedative premedication before baseline assessment that prevents evaluation of preoperative anxiety.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Preoperative Anxiety
Timeframe: From baseline (T0, immediately before intervention) to immediately after intervention (T1, approximately 15-45 minutes after baseline). Same day, prior to surgery
2
Change in Fear Level
Timeframe: From baseline (T0, immediately before intervention) to immediately after intervention (T1, approximately 15-45 minutes after baseline). Same day, prior to surgery