Experiential and Relaxation Virtual Reality as a Tool for Easing Anxiety in Seriously Ill Children

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, CZECH REPUBLIC · Mar 31, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how virtual reality (VR) can help reduce anxiety and other distressing feelings in children who are seriously ill with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The researchers want to find out if different types of VR experiences—one that is relaxing and another that is more immersive—can make a difference in how children feel. They will also look at how caregivers view VR as a way to help kids cope with their emotional challenges.

To participate, children aged 8 to 17 who are being treated at the University Hospital in Motol and speak Czech can join the study. They will take part in two VR sessions, each lasting 7 to 15 minutes, and answer a few short questions before and after each session to see if there are any changes in their anxiety, pain, or fear levels. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it’s a great opportunity for families looking for new ways to support their child’s mental well-being during difficult times.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age 7-17.9 years
• • sufficient level of contact with the environment and ability to cooperate
• • children and parents fluent in Czech
• • diagnosis of a life-threatening or life-limiting disease according to the internationally accepted list of palliatively relevant diagnoses
• • pediatric patients treated at the University Hospital Motol
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • age below 7 or above 17.9 years
• • unstable health status
• • inability to speak Czech
• • absence of parental consent for participation in the study