Little Journey: a phase III randomised controlled trial of a psychological preparation and education smartphone application for management of paediatric perioperative anxiety compared with standard care in children undergoing ambulatory surgery - study protocol.

Summary: Surgery can be a scary experience for anyone, but for young children (and their worried parents), the anxiety can be overwhelming. This fear isn't just unpleasant in the moment; it can actually affect a child's recovery and long-term health. While hospitals try to prepare families, resources are often expensive or scarce. Enter "Little Journey," a smartphone app designed to guide children through the process using education and Virtual Reality (VR). Researchers are launching a major study involving nearly 600 children aged 3 to 12. One group will use the Little Journey app with a simple cardboard VR headset at home before their operation, while the other group plays unrelated VR games. By comparing anxiety levels right before anesthesia, this study hopes to prove that a low-cost, accessible app can turn a terrifying hospital visit into a manageable journey.