Virtual Reality May Reduce Pain and Anxiety in Children, Multiple Studies Find

Medical procedures usually account for increasing pain and anxiety in children; what if VR technology can help ease the frustration?

Incorporating virtual reality (VR) headsets in children undergoing painful medical procedures, such as vaccination, intravenous injections, or dressing changes for burn wounds, could provide better distraction methods in children and reduce pain and anxiety, according to recent findings by multiple studies.
“The theory behind VR’s role in reducing pain and not only anxiety is related to the limited attentional capacity humans have. Pain requires attention, and if some of that attention can be diverted (e.g., by interacting with VR), the patient will have a slower response to incoming pain signals,” according to the authors. VR games tested in the hospitals were Snow World, Gorilla Exhibit, Aqua, Bear Blast, Feeding Frenzy, and Shape Your Path. These games share a common feature of a relaxed environment (snow, underwater, zoo habitat, animals, colorful objects).
A study in California evaluated the fear and pain in 244 children aged between 2- 16 receiving influenza vaccination. Children played VR games for around 30 minutes before, during, and after the vaccination. A questionnaire was filled out by children, parents, and staff administering the vaccine. Results show that pain decreased from 45% to 74% compared to standard distraction methods (watching TV, listening to a book, interactive toys, or electronic games).
A study of 54 children aged 6-19 undergoing a hospital burn unit reported a significant decrease in pain from 27% to 44% when using VR. The results were measured using pain ratings (cognitive, affective, and sensory) on a graphic rating scale (GRS) ranging from 0 to 100.
In another research at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, 25 children and youth aged 10 to 25 undergoing acute pain crisis of sickle cell reported 15% to 33% pain stimulus reduction when playing VR; results were measured using the Adolescents Pediatric Pain Tool.Research in 59 children with cancer aged 7-19 receiving port access as part of the treatment was divided into three groups: a control group that received topical anesthetic cream, a group with no VR, and a group that received VR distraction. The patients, parents, and staff reported the pain using a visual pain scale and pulse change rate. The pain and anxiety levels of children using VR were notably decreased.
VR is a computer technology that creates simulated environments instead of viewing the game on a screen. Instead, VR places users to interact inside 3-D worlds. VR comprises headsets (thick pairs of goggles), motion-tracking sensors, or cameras.
VR generates environments, scenes, and objects that appear real, immersing the user in their surroundings, designed for entertainment. Still, it has the potential to be used extensively in medical settings.
VR could provide better distraction than standard methods in painful procedures in children as it completely immerses the users in another world and thus relieves anxiety and fear.
“ Considerable cost reductions for VR equipment, and several companies are selling headsets that consist of 2 lenses and a place to insert a smartphone for less than $20. This has opened the door to using VR in a clinical setting,” according to the source.