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NCT Number: NCT06721780

AR Vs VR in Burns Dressing Changes

For children with burn injuries, changing their dressings can be one of the most traumatising experiences of their treatment journey. This process is not only distressing for the children but also for their parents and the healthcare professionals involved. Current methods to reduce this trauma include the use of play therapists, but such resources are often limited. There is good evidence that Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) can help by providing a distracting and immersive environment that eases pain and fear. However, no studies have yet compared these two modern technologies to see which is more effective

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Key information

Conditions

Burns Multiple

Age range

4 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • • Participants presenting with guardians with parental responsibility, who are willing and able to consent to recruitment.
  • Aged 4-17 years
  • Presenting with burns requiring a dressing change, on their first attendance to the burns clinic.
  • Participating child is able to complete the FACES Pain Scale

Exclusion criteria

  • • Children aged 4 or below
  • Those with severe cognitive impairment, visual disorders, facial burns or other conditions preventing the safe use of VR/AR technology.
  • Previous 'cybersickness' symptoms (nausea, dizziness).

Treatment and study plan

Participants randomised to wear AR headset

Device

Participants will use an AR headset that employs a distraction game specifically designed for children and young adults undergoing painful procedures.

Participants randomised to wear VR headset

Device

Participants will utilise a VR headset, running a calming virtual environment or an interactive game during the dressing change.

Primary outcomes

  1. determine the relative performance

    Time frame: 2 hours

    To determine the relative performance of AR and VR in pain and anxiety control during burns dressings changes in comparison to standard of care.

    Objective measures: Pulse rate, Respiratory rate

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Akshat Sawhney, MBBS BSc MRCS

CONTACT

[email protected]

01296 831378

James Cooper, BSc, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

07816020305

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Other

Registry information

Acronym: AR vs VR

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 6, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 6, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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