The Effect of Virtual Reality on Postoperative Patient Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) applications used in the perioperative period on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients. VR, as a non-pharmacological distraction technique, provides a realistic, multisensory experience that may reduce postoperative complications in children.

Systematic review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) model and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

A systematic search was conducted in four databases (Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) for studies published between 2017 and 2023 that met the predefined inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklists. The literature review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was structured according to the Participants, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome framework. The review process was officially registered.

A total of 731 relevant studies were initially identified, and 37 articles were reviewed in detail for comparison and analysis. Ultimately, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. The findings indicate that VR is an effective nonpharmacological tool for reducing postoperative complications in pediatric surgical patients. However, due to the limited number of studies addressing postoperative outcomes and significant methodological heterogeneity, a definitive conclusion could not be reached.

Although VR demonstrates positive effects in the perioperative period and serves as a promising intervention, current evidence regarding its effectiveness in pediatric surgical care remains limited. In this context, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base for the clinical use of VR applications.