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Virtual reality in a children's hospital
K Nihei1, K Shirakawa, N Isshiki
1Department of Child Neurology, National Children's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) significantly enhanced the quality of life (QOL) for hospitalized children by offering immersive virtual experiences and social connections, aiding their recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Medical Technology
- Psychology
Background:
- Hospitalized children often experience significant psychological and physiological stress.
- Limited opportunities for social interaction and engagement can negatively impact recovery and well-being.
- Existing interventions to improve quality of life for pediatric patients are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on the quality of life (QOL) of pediatric in-patients.
- To explore the potential of VR for mitigating stress and supporting the healing process in sick children.
- To introduce a novel VR system implemented in a Japanese children's hospital.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a comprehensive virtual reality system in a pediatric hospital setting.
- Children engaged in virtual activities such as visiting zoos, amusement parks, and aquariums.
- Participants experienced virtual sports (soccer, skiing, horse riding) and social interactions, including attending virtual school and musical collaborations with peers from other hospitals.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in the quality of life (QOL) for children experiencing psychological and physiological stress.
- VR technology positively contributed to both the QOL and the healing process of pediatric patients.
- The study represents the first reported system in Japan integrating both VR hardware and software for enhancing sick children's QOL.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality technology offers a promising approach to substantially improve the QOL for hospitalized children.
- VR facilitates crucial social connections and engaging activities, supporting emotional and physical recovery.
- Further development of VR technology and its systematic implementation in pediatric care settings is warranted.
Abstract:
We used virtual reality technology to improve the quality of life and amenity of in-patients in a children's hospital. Children in the hospital could enjoy a zoo, amusement park, and aquarium, in virtual. They played soccer, skiing and horse riding in virtual. They could communicate with persons who were out of the hospital and attend the school which they had gone to before entering hospital. They played music with children who had been admitted to other children's hospitals. By using this virtual technology, the quality of life of children who suffered from psychological and physiological stress in the hospital greatly improved. It is not only useful for their QOL but also for the healing of illness. However, these methods are very rare. Our systemic in our children's hospital is the first to be reported in Japan both software and hardware of virtual reality technology to increase the QOL of sick children need further development.