Implementation of Virtual Reality Pain Alleviation Therapeutic into Routine Pediatric Clinical Care: Experiences and...

Virtual reality (VR) needs to be implemented in clinical settings to improve pediatric patient care during painful medical procedures. Engaging doctors and nurses to lead the adoption of new clinical techniques can facilitate the transition from research to routine practice. Integrating VR into routine clinical practice could reduce patient pain and anxiety, making medical procedures smoother and more efficient. This feasibility pilot quality improvement (QI) project provides evidence for broader expansion and implementation of VR into different clinical areas. Medical providers (doctors and nurses) implemented VR during brief pediatric medical procedures and completed a demographics and feasibility survey. Qualitative feedback from semi-structured interviews indicated VR's ease of use and effectiveness in reducing anxiety and easing medical procedures. Patients (n = 30) played the VR game during either their medically necessary pin-pulling or needlestick procedures within three clinical environments. Children ranged from 5-16 years and were 50% male. The majority of patients reported enjoyment (mean 8.2 out of 10) with VR during the procedure, and only one minor technical issue was reported. Qualitative semi-structured interview data showed the benefits of using VR, including its ease of use, decreased observed anxiety, and patients having an easier time getting through the medical procedures. Feedback from medical providers regarding the dissemination of VR into pediatric clinical environments showed promising results. Standardized guidelines are needed to further implement VR pain alleviation into standard care in real-world clinical settings. This pilot study suggests that VR could be a valuable tool in pediatric pain management, warranting further research and broader clinical implementation.