Can practicing parenting in virtual reality calm Kids' aggression?

NCT ID NCT06559813

Symptom relief Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Summary

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are testing a parent training program for parents of children aged 8 to 16 who show angry, defiant, or aggressive behavior. The program teaches cognitive behavioral therapy skills and adds virtual reality role-plays so parents can practice responses to difficult situations. The pilot study with 8 parents measures changes in children's behavior and parenting, and asks parents and therapists about their experiences.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: A cognitive behavioral parent training program that uses virtual reality role-plays to practice parenting skills
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer parents a new way to practice handling tough moments with their children before facing them at home.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 8 participants, so it cannot prove the program works. The results may not hold up in larger trials, and some parents may find virtual reality uncomfortable or not helpful.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

8 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Aug 2024

Finished

May 2026

Lead sponsor

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

8 to 16 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Parents: * Parent of a child aged 8-16 years * The parent perceives that the child has oppositional, angry or aggressive behaviors, and/or that there are parent-child conflicts at home. * The child's behavior is elevated on a measure targeting behavioral problems (SDQ conduct problems subscale) EXCLUSION CRITERIA Parent treatment: * Parent of a child under 8 years or over 16 years of age * The child does not currently exhibit oppositional, angry or aggressive behaviors * Child diagnosed with autism, serious depression, psychosis, eating disorder, or self-harm behaviors * Parent has epilepsy or migraine

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Aggression conduct disorder disruptive behavior disorder oppositional defiant disorder Problem Behavior

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Aggression Child behavior problem Conduct problems Disruptive behavior Oppositional defiant disorder Parent-child relations

Can practicing parenting in virtual reality calm Kids' aggression?

What the study statuses mean