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Immersive Virtual Reality for Pediatric Pain
Andrea Stevenson Won1, Jakki Bailey2, Jeremy Bailenson3
1Department of Communication, Cornell University, 417 Mann Library Building, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. a.s.won@cornell.edu.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising intervention for pediatric pain, both acute and chronic. This technology provides engaging therapeutic benefits for children, but clinicians should use it cautiously.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Virtual Reality Applications in Healthcare
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Children frequently experience pain during medical treatments and daily life.
- Chronic pain significantly impacts children's physical capabilities and well-being.
- Virtual reality (VR) technology is becoming more accessible for clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on virtual reality for pediatric pain (procedural, acute, and chronic).
- To explore VR's potential for psychological and physiological rehabilitation in children.
- To discuss practical considerations and provide guidance for clinicians using VR in pediatric care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on pediatric virtual reality for pain and rehabilitation.
- Analysis of VR's unique qualities (presence, interactivity, customization, social interaction, embodiment) in pediatric applications.
- Discussion of clinical adoption challenges and best practices.
Main Results:
- Virtual reality shows promise in alleviating acute and procedural pain in children.
- VR may offer a corrective environment for psychological and physiological rehabilitation in chronic pain.
- VR's immersive qualities facilitate acceptance and integration into pediatric medical therapies.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality is a valuable tool for managing pediatric pain and aiding rehabilitation.
- Clinicians should be aware of potential risks and utilize VR cautiously.
- Guidance is provided for integrating VR therapies into pediatric clinical practice.
Abstract:
Children must often endure painful procedures as part of their treatment for various medical conditions. Those with chronic pain endure frequent or constant discomfort in their daily lives, sometimes severely limiting their physical capacities. With the advent of affordable consumer-grade equipment, clinicians have access to a promising and engaging intervention for pediatric pain, both acute and chronic. In addition to providing relief from acute and procedural pain, virtual reality (VR) may also help to provide a corrective psychological and physiological environment to facilitate rehabilitation for pediatric patients suffering from chronic pain. The special qualities of VR such as presence, interactivity, customization, social interaction, and embodiment allow it to be accepted by children and adolescents and incorporated successfully into their existing medical therapies. However, the powerful and transformative nature of many VR experiences may also pose some risks and should be utilized with caution. In this paper, we review recent literature in pediatric virtual reality for procedural pain and anxiety, acute and chronic pain, and some rehabilitation applications. We also discuss the practical considerations of using VR in pediatric care, and offer specific suggestions and information for clinicians wishing to adopt these engaging therapies into their daily clinical practice.
