Virtual Reality for Pediatric Oncology Port-A-Cath Access: A Pilot Effectiveness Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Medical Technology
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Port-a-cath procedures are highly distressing for children undergoing cancer treatment.
• Minimizing procedural distress is crucial for maintaining treatment adherence and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) interventions for pediatric patients during port-a-cath procedures.
• To assess the impact of VR on children's pain, distress, and fear levels.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 20 families of children (ages 4-17) with cancer undergoing port-a-cath access.
• Patients and parents rated pain, distress, nausea, and dizziness before and after VR intervention.
• Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients and parents to assess VR usability.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in fear scores was reported by both children and parents.
• Younger children showed a significant reduction in pain scores.
• High usability was reported, with 87.5% using VR during the procedure and 85.7% wishing to use it again.
• Nurses reported no workflow interference.

Conclusions:

• Commercially available VR interventions show promise in reducing fear and pain during pediatric port-a-cath procedures.
• VR may be a beneficial tool for managing procedural distress in pediatric oncology.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the benefits of VR in this context.