Virtual forest walks may ease children's surgery fears
NCT ID NCT07694934
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a brief virtual reality (VR) nature experience, combined with guided mindfulness, can reduce anxiety in children aged 10 to 17 who are about to have surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to either the VR nature mindfulness session or a standard mindfulness session. Researchers will measure anxiety levels before and after the intervention, along with changes in mindfulness and well-being, to see if the VR approach is practical and helpful for young patients.
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 nature-based mindfulness intervention
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this VR approach could offer a drug-free way to ease anxiety for children facing surgery, improving their experience without medication.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The VR intervention may not reduce anxiety more than standard mindfulness, and some children might find VR uncomfortable.
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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.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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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10 to 17 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: * Pediatric patients aged 10-17 years. * Ability to use Virtual Reality (VR) equipment, including wearing VR goggles and following mindfulness program instructions. * No reported experience with a VR-MBI intervention for anxiety reduction. * Sufficient proficiency in English or French to understand and follow the VR mindfulness program, complete study-related questionnaires/forms. Exclusion Criteria: * Participant being screened report cognitive or physical impairments that limit the ability to participate in mindfulness exercises or use VR technology (self or parent-report). * Participant being screened reports severe psychiatric conditions or use of medications that significantly alter anxiety levels (as assessed using the Youth Pediatric Symptom Checklist (self or parent-report).
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada
RECRUITINGMontreal, Canada
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