Virtual reality could replace pills for Kids' casting pain
NCT ID NCT07683715
First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether letting children watch a 3-minute animated video through a virtual reality headset during forearm cast application can lower their pain, anxiety, and fear. About 120 children aged 4 to 15 with forearm fractures will be randomly assigned to either the VR group or standard care. Researchers will measure the child's distress during the procedure and again one day later to see if the VR experience reduces lasting fear of returning to the doctor.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Virtual Reality-Based Educational Animation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to ease children's distress during medical procedures like casting.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial. The VR distraction may not significantly reduce pain or anxiety compared to standard care, and results may not apply to all children or procedures.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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4 to 15 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 4 to 15 years. * Diagnosis of an isolated forearm fracture requiring cast application with traction (greenstick injuries plastic deformation if NOT over 20 degrees bayonet apposition ok if \<10 years and growth remains) * First cast application for the current fracture episode. * Typically developing children without a known developmental delay or cognitive impairment that would prevent participation in the study assessments. * Ability of the child to understand age-appropriate instructions and respond to pain, anxiety, and fear-related assessments with caregiver assistance when necessary. * At least one upper extremity free of immobilization, allowing heart rate assessment during the procedure. * Parent or legal guardian able to provide written informed consent. * Child assent when appropriate according to age and local ethics committee requirements. * Ability and willingness of the child and caregiver to attend an approximately 30-minute blinded child psychiatry assessment 1 day after cast application. Exclusion Criteria: * Open forearm fracture. * Multiple trauma or an additional painful injury that may affect pain, anxiety, or fear assessment. * Need for emergency surgery, procedural sedation, or general anesthesia during cast application. * Previous participation in this study. * Known developmental delay, cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder with inability to complete study assessments, or severe psychiatric disorder that may interfere with questionnaire-based evaluation. * Known epilepsy, photosensitive seizure disorder, severe motion sickness, vestibular disorder, or any condition considered unsafe for VR headset use. * Visual or hearing impairment preventing use of the VR intervention or completion of the assessments. * Head, face, or scalp injury preventing safe or comfortable use of a VR headset. * Nausea, dizziness, or severe discomfort before the procedure that would prevent VR use. * Refusal of the child or caregiver to participate. * Inability to complete the 1-day child psychiatry follow-up assessment.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Basaksehir Cam ve Sakura City Hospital
RECRUITINGIstanbul, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)
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