The Effect of Using Virtual Reality and Kaleidoscope During Renal Scintigraphy on Children's Fear and Anxiety

NCT07393737 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 5C679852b7f3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that play a very important role in the human body. They are located on the right and left sides of the body, in the lower back. Their main function is to filter excess water and waste from the blood and excrete it through urine. Thus, they help maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. They produce hormones that regulate blood pressure. They secrete the hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. They play an important role in vitamin D metabolism to support bone health. Kidney scintigraphy is an important imaging method used to assess the function and structure of the kidneys. Using a radioactive substance, this test helps to examine the kidneys' blood flow, filtration and urine production. It is used to see how healthy the kidneys are working. It can help identify problems such as a mass or infection in the kidneys. It is used to detect urinary tract blockages caused by stones, tumors or other causes. It is important in patients who have had a kidney transplant to check that the new kidney is working properly. DMSA scintigraphy (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid scintigraphy) is a nuclear medicine imaging method used to assess the function and structural integrity of the kidneys. During imaging, the patient must remain immobile for a certain period of time, which can be difficult for children. Developing effective methods to divert children's attention and facilitate their adaptation to the hospital environment is of great importance in reducing both the comfort of patients and the workload of healthcare professionals. Virtual reality (VR) goggles are a highly effective tool for distraction. Because it engages our senses so intensely, it can cause us to largely ignore what is happening in the environment. VR goggles are very good at minimizing distractions or immersing you in a completely different atmosphere. The kaleidoscope is an impressive tool for diverting attention. Thanks to its mirrors and colored parts, it creates ever-changing and fascinating patterns. The hypnotic effect of the visual flow can relax the mind and help distract attention from stressful elements.

Conditions

Fear Anxiety

Keywords

fear anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The effect of virtual reality glasses and kaleidoscope application on children's fear and anxiety levels during renal scintigraphy.

  about six months

Study Arms (3)

no intervention routine application group

NO INTERVENTION

No distraction techniques were used with the children in this group. They were informed about the routine imaging procedure at the clinic and their parents were allowed to stay with them during the imaging.

kaleidoscope group

EXPERIMENTAL

During the scintigraphy scan (maximum 10 minutes), the children in this group had their attention diverted elsewhere using a kaleidoscope.

Other: kaleidoscope

virtual reality group

EXPERIMENTAL

Children in this group were shown a cartoon featuring animals using virtual reality goggles. The video was started as soon as the child was placed on the scintigraphy device and continued until the scan was complete. The virtual reality goggles were removed once the scan was finished. Since the scan lasted a maximum of 10 minutes, care was taken to ensure that the selected video was at least 10 minutes long. Children who were given VR goggles were shown the cartoon "Smart Rabbit Momo." This process took an average of 10-15 minutes.

Other: virtual reality glasses

Interventions

kaleidoscope OTHER

for use in nuclear medicine

kaleidoscope group

virtual reality glasses OTHER

The use of virtual reality in nuclear medicine

virtual reality group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Speaking Turkish
• Having no communication problems
• Administration of radiopharmaceutical medication to the child prior to imaging
• Voluntary participation of the child and parent in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Having a chronic disease other than a kidney abnormality
• Having previously undergone a kidney scintigraphy scan
• One of the parents having previously undergone a kidney scintigraphy scan
• The child having a visual, hearing, or mental disability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tarsus University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tarsus Üniversitesi

Mersin, Mersin, 33330, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2025
• First Posted: February 6, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 8, 2026
• Last Updated: February 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)