Immersive Virtual Reality to Distract From Pain in Children Treated With L-asparaginase by Intramuscular Injection

Background Treatment-related pain and discomfort are two of the most common manifestations in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients with ALL are usually treated with L-asparaginase (L-ASP) by intramuscular injection. Children receiving L-ASP chemotherapy must bear adverse reactions such as pain caused by intramuscular injections. The use of virtual reality (VR) distraction technology could be a non-pharmacological intervention to bolster patients' comfort and decrease anxiety and procedure-related pain within hospital settings. Methodology The study explored the potential benefits of VR as a psychological intervention to induce positive emotions and reduce pain levels in participants receiving L-ASP injections. Participants in the study had the opportunity to select a nature theme of their choosing during their treatment session. The study provided a noninvasive solution that promoted relaxation to reduce anxiety by shifting an individual's mood positively during treatment. The objective was met by measuring participants' mood and pain levels before and after the VR experience and participant satisfaction with the use of the technology. This mixed-methods study of children aged six to 18 received L-ASP between April 2021 and March 2022, using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) with sheer numbers ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme or most pain possible). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect new data and explore participants' thoughts and beliefs about a particular topic. A total of 14 patients participated. Descriptive statistics and content analysis are used to describe the data analyzed. VR is an enjoyable distraction intervention for managing treatment-related pain in ALL with intramuscular chemotherapy. Results Eight of 14 patients found a reduction in perceived pain after wearing VR. During the intervention implementation, the primary caregivers felt that the patient's pain perception was more positive when using the virtual reality device, and there was less resistance and less crying. Conclusions This study describes changes and experiences associated with pain and physical discomfort in children with ALL receiving intramuscular chemotherapy. This teaching model is applied to developing medical personnel, providing information about the disease and daily care, and educating the participants' family members. This study may expand the usage of VR applications so that more patients can benefit from them.