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Published on: August 9, 2010
The effect of virtual reality on skin prick test-related pain and fear in children: a randomized controlled trial
Cihangir Sahin1, Sule Cinakli2, Simge Atar Bese2
1Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, (ADU Hospital, E Block, Room Number:42), 09100, Efeler, Aydın, Turkey. drcihangir@hotmail.com.
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) significantly reduces pain and fear during pediatric skin prick tests. This distraction technique enhances child comfort, potentially improving allergy treatment adherence and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Medical Technology Integration
- Pain Management in Children
Background:
- Skin prick tests are standard for diagnosing pediatric allergies but can cause significant pain and fear.
- Distraction methods are recognized for their efficacy in mitigating procedural pain and anxiety in children.
- This study introduces virtual reality (VR) as a novel distraction technique for pediatric allergy testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of virtual reality (VR) on pain and fear levels experienced by children undergoing skin prick tests.
- To compare the effectiveness of VR distraction versus standard procedures in a pediatric allergy clinic setting.
- To assess the feasibility and safety of using VR during pediatric allergy diagnostic procedures.
Main Methods:
- A parallel-group, single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 75 children aged 4-10 years undergoing skin prick tests.
- Participants were allocated to either a VR group (using VR goggles during the test) or a control group (standard procedure).
- Pain and fear were measured using the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Scale and the Child Fear Scale, with assessments by children, parents, and researchers.
Main Results:
- Children in the VR group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in perceived pain and fear compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
- This reduction in distress was consistently reported across assessments by the children, their parents, and the attending researchers.
- No adverse side effects associated with the use of virtual reality were reported during the study.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality serves as an effective tool for alleviating pain and fear during skin prick tests in pediatric allergy settings.
- Integrating VR technology can enhance patient comfort, potentially leading to improved follow-up adherence and better overall clinical outcomes for pediatric allergy patients.
- The findings support the adoption of VR as a standard practice for managing procedural distress in pediatric allergy clinics.
Abstract:
Skin prick tests are a common method for diagnosing allergies in pediatric allergy clinics. Unfortunately, these tests can be distressing for children, causing pain and fear that can make them challenging to conduct. Virtual reality (VR) can be used to distract children during medical procedures. This study examines the effect of VR on skin prick test-related pain and fear in children. This parallel-group, single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 233 children evaluated at the Pediatric Allergy Clinic and scheduled to undergo skin prick testing between March and June 2024. Among these children, 75 children aged 4-10 years who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups as VR group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25) by block randomization using gender and age group variables. The VR group wore VR goggles during the skin prick test, while the control group underwent the standard procedure. Pain and fear levels were assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Scale and the Child Fear Scale. Children in the VR group exhibited a significant reduction in pain and fear levels associated with the skin prick test experience compared to the control group, as evaluated by children, parents, and researchers (p < 0.05). No side effects related to VR were reported.
Conclusion:
Virtual reality can be an effective tool in pediatric allergy clinics to reduce pain and fear during skin prick testing. By enhancing the child's comfort, VR may also improve adherence to allergy follow-up and treatment, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes.
What Is Known:
• Children often experience significant pain and fear during invasive procedures such as skin prick tests, and distraction methods have been shown to reduce pain and anxiety.
What Is New:
• This study is the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate that virtual reality (VR) significantly reduces pain and fear during skin prick tests in children. • This study supports the integration of new technologies such as VR as a standard practice for managing pain and fear during skin prick tests in pediatric allergy clinics.
Trial Registration:
The clinical trial registration number is NCT06421779. Study start date: March 22, 2024. Study completion date: July 22, 2024. ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06421779 ).
