A Novel Auditory Application for Distraction in Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study
Stanford University
Summary
This mixed-methods study seeks to evaluate the feasibility of Mystic Pets software and hardware within the pediatric population. This study will take place at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA).
Description
Hospitalized children often experience emotional distress related to medical procedures, unfamiliar environments, and limited control over their situations. Existing distraction techniques, such as traditional videos and gaming, often rely heavily on visual interfaces, which can be limiting in clinical contexts. Current immersive technology software and hardware for procedural distraction rely on partial to complete immersion in a computer-generated environment to the real world. While immersive technology can reduce emotional distress with distraction, some patients experience increased distr…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Between 4-17 years * English speaking participants Exclusion Criteria: * Legal guardian not present to obtain consent * Child with hearing impairment * Child with a significant neurological condition, or major developmental disability * Child with facial abnormalities or injuries prohibiting use of headsets * Nausea at the time of recruitment, * A history of severe motion sickness, * A history of seizures
Interventions
- DeviceMystics Pet
Participants will receive the game intervention and be instructed to wear a Oculus Quest 2 headset (Meta, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) and participate in Mystic Pets software game (Stanford Chariot Program, Palo Alto, CA) that is specifically designed to promote overall distraction and emotional distress reduction.
Location
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital StanfordPalo Alto, California