Virtual Reality for Procedural Distraction for Children

Background: Virtual reality (VR) therapy has been applied in multiple clinical settings and has been shown to be more effective than standard practices, in relieving pain and anxiety. Pediatric patients who undergo routine painful medical procedures often experience anxiety and distress. The pain and distress reduce treatment satisfaction for the patient, caregiver, and clinician. Hence, immersive VR is a promising and engaging intervention that may help to decrease pain and anxiety in children. Patient and Methods: The use of VR among pediatric patients is novel to our local hospitals in Singapore. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of VR in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing painful procedures. Fifty-five pediatric patients were recruited from the departments of pediatric medicine, orthopedics, surgery, and dermatology in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, undergoing various procedures. There were a total of 14 VR experiences tailored to pediatric patients, and a postprocedural survey was conducted for patients and healthcare providers. Results: The majority of pediatric patients, their caregivers, and healthcare providers felt that VR was helpful as a tool for distraction and would recommend its use for future procedures. Other feedback gathered from the pilot study helped to fine-tune the current headsets and VR programs, to better suit pediatric patients. Conclusion: Overall results reinforce the effectiveness of VR as a tool for pain and distraction among patients in a local pediatric tertiary hospital.