AzTrials
AzTrials

AnxietyNCT07203716

Preparing Kids for MRI Using VR

A study testing Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster) and Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only) in people with Anxiety and Sedation, run by Haseki Training and Research Hospital.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Children frequently exhibit pre-MRI anxiety that can cause motion, repeated sequences, prolonged room time, and exposure to sedation. Orientation with Virtual Reality (VR) may reduce anxiety by familiarizing children with the scanner environment and expected sensations. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 5 to 10 years
Conditions the study is for
Anxiety, Sedation, Child
What is being tested?
Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster) and Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
150 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
6 Oct 2025to 31 Mar 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 5 to 10 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Children 5 to 10 years old (inclusive).
  • First-ever MRI for a clinically indicated, non-emergent examination (outpatient or elective inpatient).
  • Ability to view the age-appropriate 360° VR module (head-mounted viewer or flat 360° on screen) with basic comprehension of instructions (child and/or caregiver in Turkish).
  • Parental/guardian informed consent and child assent per age/competence.
  • Standard MRI safety screening passed; institutional rescue sedation policies remain available if clinically required.

Who cannot join

  • MRI contraindications (e.g., non-MR-conditional implants, unsafe metallic foreign bodies).
  • Pre-planned sedation or general anesthesia irrespective of behavior (clinician decision made prior to randomization).
  • Conditions contraindicating VR exposure (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, severe motion sickness/vertigo causing intolerance).
  • Severe uncorrected visual or hearing impairment precluding module viewing or instruction adherence.
  • Emergent/urgent MRI where study procedures could delay care.
  • Neurodevelopmental or behavioral conditions that render still positioning entirely unfeasible despite standard coaching (investigator judgment).
  • Prior participation in this trial (no re-enrollment).

About this study

Official title: Effect of Home-Based and Immediate Pre-Scan Virtual Reality Orientation on Motion Artifacts and Sedation Need in Pediatric MRI: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Children frequently exhibit pre-MRI anxiety that can cause motion, repeated sequences, prolonged room time, and exposure to sedation. Orientation with Virtual Reality (VR) may reduce anxiety by familiarizing children with the scanner environment and expected sensations. This single-center, three-arm randomized clinical trial evaluates whether (1) Home+Booster VR (an age-appropriate 360° VR module at home ~24-48 hours before MRI plus a brief on-site refresher immediately before positioning), (2) Pre-Scan VR only (same module viewed on site immediately before positioning), or (3) Usual Care without VR improves MRI image quality and tolerance in children undergoing their first-ever MRI.

Eligible participants are children scheduled for clinically indicated, non-emergent MRI with no prior MRI experience. Major exclusions comprise MRI contraindications; contraindications to VR use (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy or severe motion sickness); uncorrected severe visual/hearing impairment precluding VR viewing; and inability to provide assent/consent. After consent/assent, participants are randomized 1:1:1 to one of three arms. Anticipated enrollment is ~150 total (~50 per arm; up to 60 per arm if feasible). All arms receive routine safety procedures and child-oriented coaching per institutional practice. The VR module (~8-10 minutes) provides a 360° walkthrough of the MRI process (sounds, positioning, keeping still) with child-focused narration. Adherence (timestamps/duration) is recorded where applicable.

The primary outcome is motion artifact rated on a predefined ordinal scale by a board-certified radiologist masked to allocation; the proportion achieving diagnostic quality without repeat/sedation is also reported. Key secondary outcomes include sedation requirement, number of repeated sequences, total scan room time, scan completion without interruption, and change in child anxiety (mYPAS-SF). Additional prespecified measures include comfort/calmness Likert scales, Wong-Baker FACES pain, CEMS during scan, parent state anxiety, satisfaction VAS, physiologic vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, SpO₂) at defined peri-scan time points, observed crying and movement durations, and total scan duration. The trial uses parallel assignment with allocation concealment and masked outcome assessment. Analyses follow intention-to-treat with prespecified subgroup exploration by age bands (5-7 vs 8-10). Recruitment is planned for October 6, 2025; primary completion is expected within approximately three months.

Read the detailed description

Rationale. Pre-procedural anxiety in pediatric MRI is a well-recognized driver of motion, repetition of sequences, longer scanner occupancy, and sedation exposure. Brief, developmentally tailored exposure using a 360° VR module is hypothesized to reduce anxiety and movement through familiarization with scanner sounds, spatial constraints, and behavioral expectations.

Design Overview. Single-center, three-arm randomized clinical trial with parallel assignment and allocation concealment. Participants with no prior MRI experience are randomized 1:1:1 to Home+Booster VR, Pre-Scan VR only, or Usual Care. Outcome assessment is masked to allocation. Analyses follow intention-to-treat; per-protocol summaries are planned as supportive.

Intervention Content and Delivery. The VR module (~8-10 minutes) depicts arrival, positioning, acoustic noise, and the importance of remaining still. Narration and visuals are age-appropriate.

  • Home+Booster VR: module viewed at home approximately 24-48 hours before MRI (re-view permitted), plus a brief on-site refresher immediately before positioning.
  • Pre-Scan VR only: module viewed only on site immediately before positioning.
  • Usual Care: standard institutional preparation without VR. Routine safety procedures and child-oriented coaching are applied uniformly across arms.

Adherence and Fidelity. Where available, platform logs capture timestamps and duration of module exposure (home and on-site). Staff document completion of on-site viewing and any technical issues. Periodic fidelity checks ensure consistent delivery.

Randomization, Masking, and Allocation Concealment. Randomization is performed via a concealed sequence (computer-generated permuted blocks). Allocation is revealed to staff immediately prior to preparation. Image-quality ratings are performed by a board-certified radiologist masked to allocation. Staff involved in VR delivery are not masked; contact with the assessor is minimized.

Safety Monitoring. VR is paused or discontinued for nausea, dizziness, or discomfort. Standard MRI safety screening is conducted per institutional policy. Adverse events related to VR exposure or MRI are recorded and reviewed by the study team; serious events are reported per institutional requirements.

Data Handling. Data are captured in secure, access-controlled case report forms with predefined range checks. Personally identifiable information is stored separately from analytic datasets. Quality control includes double-entry checks for a subset and automated logic checks.

Statistical Approach (brief). Descriptive statistics summarize baseline characteristics and feasibility metrics (e.g., adherence to the module). The primary endpoint (motion artifact score) is analyzed under intention-to-treat using appropriate ordinal or dichotomous models specified in the statistical analysis plan. Prespecified subgroup analyses examine age bands (5-7 vs 8-10). Multiplicity control procedures are detailed in the analysis plan. Missing data strategies are predefined and documented.

Timeline. Recruitment is planned to commence October 6, 2025. Enrollment and follow-up are expected to conclude within approximately three months, subject to scheduling logistics and scanner availability.

Being tested
Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster), Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only), Usual Care (No VR)
Medical subject headings
Anxiety Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster)Behavioural

    Age-appropriate 360° VR module (~8-10 min) showing MRI room, sounds, positioning, and the importance of keeping still; viewed at home 24-48 h pre-scan on a smartphone/VR viewer (or flat 360° if no headset), plus a brief booster view on site immediately before positioning (~3-5 min refresher).

  • Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only)Behavioural

    The same 360° VR module (~8-10 min) viewed once on site in the MRI area immediately before positioning; no home exposure.

  • Usual Care (No VR)Other

    Standard institutional pediatric MRI preparation (verbal explanation, hearing protection demo, child-friendly coaching) without VR.

Study groups in NCT07203716
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental - Home+Booster VRExperimentalHome exposure 24-48 h pre-scan plus a brief on-site booster immediately before positioning.
Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster)
Pre-Scan VR OnlyExperimentalSingle on-site VR exposure immediately before positioning.
Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only)
Usual CareActive comparatorStandard pediatric MRI preparation without VR.
Receives: Other: Usual Care (No VR)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Radiologist-Rated MRI Motion Artifact (ordinal score)

    Motion artifact rated on a pre-specified 4-point ordinal scale per exam by a board-certified radiologist masked to allocation (0 = none; 1 = mild/not affecting diagnostic utility; 2 = moderate/partially limiting; 3 = severe/non-diagnostic). Inter-rater agreement (if applicable) will be summarized separately.

    Unit of Measure: score (0-3)

    Measured: During MRI session; assessment completed within 24 hours of image acquisition.

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Diagnostic-Quality MRI Without Repeat or Sedation (yes/no)

    Proportion of exams achieving diagnostic-quality images without repeated sequences and without sedation, based on pre-specified radiology/report criteria; ratings performed masked to allocation.

    Unit of Measure: percent (%)

    Measured: At completion of MRI session; determination recorded within 24 hours of image acquisition.

  2. Total Scan Room Time

    Time from room entry to room exit during the MRI session, including positioning and image acquisition.

    Unit of Measure: minutes

    Measured: During MRI session (room entry to room exit).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted2 Oct 2025
  2. Study start6 Oct 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion15 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Mar 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07203716
Sponsor's protocol ID
176-2025
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
23 Sep 2025
Last updated
2 Oct 2025
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • van Spaendonck Z, Leeuwenburgh KP, Dremmen M, van Schuppen J, Starreveld D, Dierckx B, Legerstee JS. Comparing Smartphone Virtual Reality Exposure Preparation to Care as Usual in Children Aged 6 to 14 Years Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Protocol for a Multicenter, Observer-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Jan 24;12:e41080. doi: 10.2196/41080.

    PubMed 36692931
  • Harned RK 2nd, Strain JD. MRI-compatible audio/visual system: impact on pediatric sedation. Pediatr Radiol. 2001 Apr;31(4):247-50. doi: 10.1007/s002470100426.

    PubMed 11321741
  • Le May S, Genest C, Hung N, Francoeur M, Guingo E, Paquette J, Fortin O, Guay S. The Efficacy of Virtual Reality Game Preparation for Children Scheduled for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedures (IMAGINE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2022 Jun 13;11(6):e30616. doi: 10.2196/30616.

    PubMed 35700000
  • Stunden C, Stratton K, Zakani S, Jacob J. Comparing a Virtual Reality-Based Simulation App (VR-MRI) With a Standard Preparatory Manual and Child Life Program for Improving Success and Reducing Anxiety During Pediatric Medical Imaging: Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Sep 22;23(9):e22942. doi: 10.2196/22942.

    PubMed 34550072
  • Ashmore J, Di Pietro J, Williams K, Stokes E, Symons A, Smith M, Clegg L, McGrath C. A Free Virtual Reality Experience to Prepare Pediatric Patients for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2019 Apr 18;2(1):e11684. doi: 10.2196/11684.

    PubMed 31518319

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster) and Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only) in people with Anxiety and Sedation, run by Haseki Training and Research Hospital.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Oct 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Radiologist-Rated MRI Motion Artifact (ordinal score) (time frame: During MRI session; assessment completed within 24 hours of image acquisition.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07203716, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Oct 2025.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in