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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06283108

Gurney Journey: Virtual Reality Distraction

The aim of this study is to determine whether a software virtual reality (VR) program provided during transportation to anesthesia induction reduces anxiety before the procedure, and compliance in pediatric patients. This study aims to measure the anxiety of patients as they arrive before their procedure, when parting from their parents for transportation to the procedure room, and when anesthesia is provided. Compliance during anesthesia induction will also be monitored. Participants will be randomly placed into to one of two groups. Group 1 will receive standard care from a Certified Child Life Specialist prior to their surgery. Group 2 will receive standard care from a Certified Child Life Specialist and distraction with a novel virtual reality software program.

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Key information

Conditions

Dental Caries in Children Dental Diseases Gastrointestinal Surgery Procedures Requiring Anesthesia Stomatognathic Diseases

Age range

5 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Children's Hospital Colorado

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

About this study

The aim of this study is to determine whether a novel software virtual reality (VR) program provided during transition from periop to the procedure room and anesthesia induction reduces preoperative anxiety, and induction compliance in pediatric patients. This study aims to specifically monitor and measure the anxiety of patients as they arrive at the preoperative suite, when parting from their parents for transportation to the procedure room, and at induction of anesthesia. Compliance during anesthesia induction will also be monitored. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 will receive standard care during their surgery. Group 2 will receive standard care and distraction with a novel virtual reality software program. We hypothesize that anxiety will be reduced, and anesthesia compliance will improve for participants in Group 2.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Ages 5-17 years old.
  • Patients undergoing general anesthesia with mask induction for dental or gastrointestinal procedures.

Exclusion criteria

  • Cognitive impairment that will impact the use of the VR headset or interaction with the game.
  • Participants who cannot comfortably wear the VR headset.
  • Visual impairment that would hinder use of software program.
  • Patients receiving general anesthesia via IV.
  • Parent accompanies patient back for anesthesia induction.

Treatment and study plan

Standard Child Life Preparation and Support + Meta Quest 2 VR headset with Gurney Journey (a mixed reality experience)

Device

Certified Child Life Specialist's will provide preparation and support for patients before and during their anesthesia induction for their dental or gastrointestinal procedure. Child life specialist's will utilize Gurney Journey as part of their support for induction. Gurney Journey is a mixed reality experience, using the Meta Quest 2 VR headset that was designed to mitigate patient anxiety during transport from pre-admission rooms to the procedure room/operating room for surgical procedures.

Standard Child Life Preparation and Support

Behavioral

Certified Child Life Specialist's will provide preparation and support for patients before and during their anesthesia induction for their dental procedure.

Primary outcomes

  1. modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale

    Time frame: Perioperative, transport to operating room, in operating room

    Observational scale used to measure patient anxiety at different time points. Higher scores mean the patient is displaying more anxiety. Scores range from 23.33 to 100.

  2. Induction Compliance Checklist

    Time frame: In operating room at induction

    Used to measure and observe a patient's compliance with anesthesia induction. It uses a checklist of 10 items that correspond to negative behaviors that are frequently observed at such time, scoring 1 point for each measure on the checklist. The score is obtained by summing the scores for all the items (10 points maximum). Perfect anesthetic induction (with no negative behaviors) scores 0 points, suboptimal induction is scored between 1 and 4 and a score above 4 is considered as poor induction.

Secondary outcomes

  1. The Pediatric Behavioral Induction Assessment

    Time frame: After induction

    Measure completed by anesthesiologist's in the procedure room to describe patients' behavior during induction of anesthesia.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Children's Hospital Colorado

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Impact of Distraction During Transition to the Operating Room and Anesthesia Induction Using a Novel Virtual Reality Software Program on Pediatric Perioperative Anxiolysis and Induction Compliance.

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 28, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2025

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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