Virtual Reality: Is It Helping Children Cope with Fear and Pain During Vaccination?

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative distraction technology in health care, but little is known about this topic in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using VR to reduce pain and fear among children during vaccination.

It is a cross-sectional study design. A total of 104 children (ages 4-6 years) receiving routine vaccinations in a single primary health care in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia, participated in the study and grouped to a VR technology intervention group or vaccination as usual without VR distraction. The primary outcome is the difference in the child's self-rated fear and pain scores between those who have been vaccinated with or without VR distraction, measured by the two validated international facial expressions scales Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale and Children's Fear Scale.

In the two-month study period, 53 children were vaccinated using the VR technology and 50 children were vaccinated without VR. Bivariate analysis showed a significantly lower pain score among the VR group (=1.36, SD 2.06) compared with the group without VR (=6.90, SD 3.47) (P-value < 0.001). Similarly, fear score was lower in the VR group (=0.64, SD 0.92) compared with the group without VR (=2.88, SD1.55) (P < 0.001). In multivariable regression models adjusted for age and gender, children vaccinated using the VR technology had significantly lower pain and fear scores compared with those who were vaccinated as usual without VR distraction.

VR technology showed a positive impact on reducing pain and fear among children aged 4-6 years during vaccination. Policymakers are encouraged to expand the use of this distraction tool in primary health centers to improve the vaccination experience among children.