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Virtual Reality Use in Pediatric Emergency Department Pain Management: Illustrative Case Report
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) effectively manages procedural pain and anxiety in pediatric emergency care. This technology offers a novel, nonpharmacologic distraction, improving patient satisfaction and care efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Medical Technology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Procedural pain, stress, and anxiety are significant concerns in pediatric emergency care.
- Common procedures like IV insertions and wound care are often painful for children.
- Nonpharmacologic pain management strategies, including distraction, are underutilized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the clinical problem of undermanaged procedural pain in pediatric emergency settings.
- To explore the role of virtual reality (VR) as an effective nonpharmacologic intervention.
- To improve procedural pain management in pediatric emergency care.
Main Methods:
- Case report illustrating the use of virtual reality as a distraction technique.
- Utilizing VR technology to simulate immersion in a virtual world.
- Shifting pediatric patients' attention away from pain and anxiety during procedures.
Main Results:
- Virtual reality demonstrated success in managing procedural pain and anxiety.
- VR use optimized care efficiency in the emergency department.
- Patient and family satisfaction were improved through VR implementation.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality is a promising nonpharmacologic intervention for pediatric procedural pain.
- VR offers a novel distraction method to enhance patient well-being in emergency care.
- Implementing VR can lead to better outcomes and satisfaction in pediatric emergency settings.
Abstract:
Managing pain, stress, and anxiety is a key factor to consider in the well-being of children presenting for emergency care. Procedures including intravenous insertions, injections, and wound care are prevalent in pediatric emergency settings and are commonly perceived as painful in children. Although nonpharmacologic approaches to reduce pain are available, these methods are not always implemented. Some of the most common nonpharmacologic interventions include different forms of distraction. Owing to novel technology, a relatively new form of distraction that can be used in emergency departments is virtual reality. This technology simulates presence within a virtual world and shifts the user's attention away from anxiety and pain perception. Virtual reality as a distraction tool has displayed success in managing pain and anxiety, optimizing care efficiency, and improving patient and family satisfaction. This illustrative case report highlights the clinical problem of undermanaged procedural pain in pediatric emergency settings and the role of virtual reality as an effective nonpharmacologic intervention to improve procedural pain management in a pediatric emergency setting.
