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Operation Calm: VR Nature-Based Mindfulness to Reduce Pediatric Surgical Anxiety
Sponsor: McGill University
Summary
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.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
10 Years - 17 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2026-03-10
Completion Date
2026-12
Last Updated
2026-07-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Operation Calm EEMCF-VR
Operation Calm is a virtual reality (VR) nature-based mindfulness intervention for youth aged 10-17 years awaiting surgery. Participants engage in brief (\<10 minute) immersive 360° nature experiences (e.g., forests, beaches, underwater environments) paired with guided mindfulness exercises focused on breathing, grounding, sensory awareness, and reflection on sources of calm and safety. The intervention is specifically designed for use in pediatric surgical settings and aims to enhance engagement with mindfulness through immersive VR technology. Participants in the control condition receive comparable mindfulness activities without the use of VR.
Locations (1)
Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada
Montreal, Canada