Virtual Reality for Pain and Fear in Children With Burns (NCT07740980) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Virtual Reality for Pain and Fear in Children With Burns
Egypt80 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
Burn injuries are very painful for children, especially during dressing changes when the wound is cleaned and re-bandaged. This procedure, while necessary, can cause pain, fear, and distress that may make children afraid of future treatments. Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that uses a headset to show an immersive, interactive 3D world. It can distract children from painful medical procedures.
This study aims to find out if using VR during burn dressing changes can reduce pain, fear, and behavioral distress in children aged 6 to 12 years. Half of the children will receive standard burn care plus VR distraction during their dressing change. The other half will receive standard care only.
The study will take place at the Burns and Plastic Surgery Center, Mansoura University, Egypt. Children will be recruited from both inpatient wards and outpatient clinics. Pain will be measured using a number scale, fear using a faces scale, and distress will be observed throughout the procedure.
It is expected that children who use VR will report less pain, show less fear, and display less distress during their dressing changes compared to children who receive standard care alone.
Who can participate
Age range
6 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 6 to 12 years
* Acute burn injury requiring a routine dressing change, either during inpatient hospitalization or during a scheduled outpatient clinic visit
* Able to communicate verbally and follow simple instructions
* Medically stable as determined by attending physician (no acute respiratory distress, hemodynamic instability, or active sepsis)
* Written informed consent from parent/guardian
* Verbal child assent (for children aged 7 years and older)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Burns involving the face, head, or ears that prevent safe VR headset placement
* Cognitive, motor, visual, or hearing impairments interfering with study participation
* History of motion sickness, seizure disorder, or migraines triggered by visual stimuli
* Inability to maintain sitting or semi-upright position during the procedure
* Burns greater than 60% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) or requiring intensive care admission
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
Pain Intensity
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-procedure) and immediately post-procedure