Using a Virtual Reality Headset to Decrease Pain Felt During a Venipuncture Procedure in Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pain Management
• Medical Technology Integration
• Child Health Research

Background:

• Venipuncture is a common yet painful procedure for children.
• Effective pain management strategies are crucial in pediatric healthcare.
• Virtual reality (VR) presents a novel, non-pharmacological intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of VR headsets in alleviating pain during pediatric venipuncture.
• To compare pain levels in children using VR versus standard care during blood collection.
• To investigate VR's potential as an adjunct for procedural pain management in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 120 children aged 9-12 years.
• Participants were allocated to either an experimental (VR headset) or control group.
• Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale.

Main Results:

• Children in the VR group reported significantly lower pain levels than the control group (P < .05).
• VR headset use was associated with a measurable decrease in perceived procedural pain.
• The findings support VR as an effective tool for pain reduction during venipuncture.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality headset intervention effectively reduces pain during pediatric venipuncture.
• VR technology offers a viable non-pharmacological option for managing procedural pain in children.
• This study highlights the potential of immersive technologies in improving pediatric patient experiences.