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Virtual reality during pediatric vascular access: A pragmatic, prospective randomized, controlled trial
Thomas J Caruso1, Alexandria George1, Maria Menendez1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Pediatric Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|December 1, 2019
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) did not reduce pain or fear in pediatric patients during vascular access procedures. While patients using VR reported satisfaction, the intervention did not improve procedural compliance or reduce adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Medical Technology Integration
- Patient Comfort Management
Background:
- Vascular access procedures in children can cause significant pain, fear, and procedural incompliance.
- Virtual reality (VR) shows promise in reducing pain and anxiety in adult medical settings.
- Large-scale studies evaluating VR's efficacy in pediatric populations are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain for pediatric patients undergoing vascular access.
- To evaluate VR's impact on patient fear, procedural compliance, satisfaction, and adverse events in children.
- To provide evidence-based insights into VR application for pediatric procedural care.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 220 pediatric patients (7-18 years) undergoing vascular access.
- Patients were randomized to receive either virtual reality (VR) or standard care.
- Pain, fear, compliance, and satisfaction were measured using validated scales and surveys; data analyzed with chi-squared, t-tests, and regression models.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in post-procedure pain, fear, or compliance were observed between the VR and standard care groups.
- Pediatric patients in the VR group reported satisfaction with the intervention.
- No adverse events were associated with the use of virtual reality (VR) in this study.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality (VR) did not demonstrate a reduction in pain for pediatric patients undergoing vascular access.
- The findings suggest VR may not be effective for pain management in this specific pediatric inpatient population.
- Further research may be needed to explore VR's utility in different pediatric procedural contexts or with modified protocols.
