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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
A multi-center, observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial comparing smartphone virtual reality exposure preparation to care as usual in children aged 6 to 14 years old undergoing an MRI: Developmental considerations and study protocol
Zita van Spaendonck;
Koen Pieter Leeuwenburgh;
Marjolein Dremmen;
Joost van Schuppen;
Daniëlle Starreveld;
Bram Dierckx;
Jeroen S Legerstee
ABSTRACT
Background:
An MRI-procedure can cause preprocedural and periprocedural anxiety in children. Psychosocial interventions are used to prepare children for the procedure to alleviate anxiety, but these interventions are time- and cost consuming. Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising way to overcome these limitations in the preparation of children before an MRI-scan.
Objective:
The objective of this study is (1) to develop a virtual reality (VR) smartphone intervention to prepare children for an MRI-procedure at home; and (2) to examine the effect of the VR-intervention in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), in which the VR-intervention will be compared to care as usual (CAU).
Methods:
The VR-intervention provides a highly realistic and child friendly representation of an MRI-environment. In this RCT, 128 children (aged 6 to 14 years) undergoing an MRI-scan will be randomly allocated to the VR-intervention or the CAU. Children in the VR-intervention receive a login code for the VR app and are send cardboard VR glasses. The primary outcome is preprocedural anxiety (self-reported and as observed by parents). Secondary outcomes include periprocedural anxiety and parental anxiety.
Results:
The VR smartphone preparation app has been developed in 2020. The recruitment of participants is expected to be completed in December 2022.
Conclusions:
The VR smartphone application is expected to significantly reduce pre- and periprocedural anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing an MRI-scan. The VR app offers a realistic and child friendly experience which can contribute to modern care. A smartphone version of the VR application has the advantage that children, and potentially their parents, can get habituated to the VR environment and noises, in their own home environment and can do this VR MRI preparation as often and as long as needed. Clinical Trial: ISRCTN20976625
Citation
Please cite as:
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