Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure
Published on: January 18, 2021
A randomized controlled trial on virtual reality distraction during venous cannulation in young children
Kasper H Thybo1, Susanne M Friis1, Gitte Aagaard1
1Department of Anaesthesiology and The Paediatric Pain Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) distraction effectively reduces pain and anxiety in children aged 4-7 during venous cannulation. This study found VR comparable to tablet distraction, indicating its value in pediatric pain management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Inadequate pain management is common in hospitalized children, particularly during needle procedures.
- Virtual reality (VR) shows promise in reducing anxiety and pain in children aged 7+.
- This study focuses on younger children (4-7 years) undergoing venous cannulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient satisfaction and pain reduction using a 3D VR interactive game.
- To assess VR as a distraction method in children aged 4-7 during venous cannulation.
- To compare VR distraction with standard care including tablet-based games.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 106 children aged 4-7 years undergoing venous cannulation.
- The control group received standard care (numbing cream, positioning, tablet games).
- The study group received standard care plus an interactive VR game for distraction.
Main Results:
- High patient satisfaction was observed in both VR and control groups.
- No significant difference in pain scores (Wong-Baker scale) between VR and control groups.
- No significant differences in procedural time or adverse events were noted.
Conclusions:
- VR distraction is an acceptable method for children aged 4-7 during venous cannulation.
- VR distraction showed no significant advantage over smartphone/tablet distraction in this age group.
- VR can be effectively combined with topical numbing cream and positioning for pediatric venous cannulation.
Background And Objectives:
Pain management in children is often inadequate, and the single most common painful procedure in children who are hospitalized is needle procedures. Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to decrease anxiety and pain in children undergoing painful procedures primarily in children from the age of 7 years. Our aim for this study is to investigate patient satisfaction and pain reduction by using a three-dimensional VR interactive game as a distraction in 4-7 years old children during venous cannulation.
Methods:
In this randomized clinical trial, we enrolled 106 children aged 4-7 years who were scheduled for venous cannulation. Patients assigned to the control group were adherent to standard of care, including topical numbing cream, positioning, and distraction in this group by games of choice on a tablet/smartphone. In the study group, children were adherent to standard of care and were distracted by an interactive VR game. Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction and the procedural pain assessed by using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale; secondary outcomes were the procedural time and any adverse events.
Results:
We found an overall high level of patient satisfaction with our regime of topical numbing cream, positioning, and distraction. The primary outcome of pain during the procedure was median 20 mm (IQR 0-40) and 20 mm (IQR 0-55) (Wong-Baker 0-100 mm) in the VR group and the control group, respectively (difference: 0 mm, 95%CI: 0-20, p = .19). No significant difference was found in procedural times. The number of adverse effects was low, with no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusions:
VR distraction is an acceptable form of distraction for children 4-7 years old when combined with topical numbing cream and positioning during preoperative venous cannulation. No difference was found between VR- and smartphone/tablet distraction.
