Virtual reality could take the pain out of teeth cleaning for children with mild intellectual disability
NCT ID NCT07473479
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether wearing virtual reality goggles during a dental cleaning can reduce how much pain children with mild intellectual disability feel. About 102 children aged 5 to 7 with moderate dental anxiety will take part. Half will use VR during cleaning, and half will not. Researchers will measure pain using a standard scale.
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 distraction device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to make dental visits less painful for children with mild intellectual disability.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial (102 participants) that has not yet started recruiting. The effect may be small or not apply to all children.
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 102 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Apr 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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5 to 7 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: * Moderate dental anxiety * Mild intellectual disability * Age between 5 and 7 years Exclusion Criteria: * Severe/low dental anxiety
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
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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Oasi IRCCS Research Institute
Troina, Enna, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Giving a voice to people with intellectual disability: can a redesigned questionnaire make self-reporting truly accessible?
- Rhythm training may boost brain and body skills in teens with mild intellectual disability
- VR goggles could ease dental pain for kids with intellectual disability
- Can a quieter dental room help kids with intellectual disabilities get their teeth cleaned?
- Can remote monitoring replace the Dentist's chair for kids with special needs?
- Can a smartphone app boost brain power in kids with intellectual disability?