Operation Calm: VR Nature-Based Mindfulness to Reduce Pediatric Surgical Anxiety
Recruiting now NCT07694934
Run by McGill University · for 10 to 17 · All sexes
What this study is about
Operation Calm is a pilot randomized controlled trial investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) nature-based mindfulness intervention for reducing preoperative anxiety in children and adolescents aged 10-17 years undergoing surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to either a VR mindfulness condition, which combines immersive 360° nature environments with guided mindfulness exercises, or a standard mindfulness control condition. The study also examines changes in trait mindfulness, wellbeing, and nature connectedness, while monitoring participant engagement and tolerability. Findings will help determine whether VR-enhanced mindfulness is a practical and promising approach for supporting youth facing surgical procedures and will inform the design of future larger-scale clinical trials.
Who can join (things the study team will check)
✅ You may be able to join if…
- Pediatric patients aged 10-17 years.
- Scheduled for surgery at SHC-Canada
- Ability to use Virtual Reality (VR) equipment, including wearing VR goggles and following mindfulness program instructions.
- No reported experience with a VR-MBI intervention for anxiety reduction.
- Sufficient proficiency in English or French to understand and follow the VR mindfulness program, complete study-related questionnaires/forms.
🚫 You may not be able to join if…
- Participant being screened report cognitive or physical impairments that limit the ability to participate in mindfulness exercises or use VR technology (self or parent-report).
- Participant being screened reports severe psychiatric conditions or use of medications that significantly alter anxiety levels (as assessed using the Youth Pediatric Symptom Checklist (self or parent-report).
Where this trial is running
- Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada, Montreal, Canada
Who to contact
Brandon Benchimol-Elkaim · 5147154402 · brandon.benchimol-elkaim@mail.mcgill.ca
It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT07694934.
Verify everything on the official ClinicalTrials.gov record. Page updated July 2026.