Abstract
The current study evaluated the effectiveness of VR analgesia among pediatric and adolescent patients with kidney disease undergoing venipuncture. Patients at an Italian Children’s hospital (N = 82, age range 7–17 years) undergoing venipuncture were randomly assigned to a No VR group (non-medical conversation) vs. a Yes VR group (VR analgesia). After the procedure, patients gave 0–10 Verbal Numeric Pain Scale ratings. Compared with patients in the No VR Group, patients in the Yes VR group reported significantly lower “Pain intensity”(No VR mean = 2.74, SD = 2.76 vs. Yes VR mean = 1.56, SD = 1.83) and the VR group also rated “Pain unpleasantness” significantly lower than the No VR group (No VR mean = 2.41, SD = 0.94 vs. Yes VR mean = 1.17, SD = 1.80). Patients distracted with VR also reported having significantly more fun during the venipuncture procedure. No side effects emerged. In addition to reducing pain intensity, VR has the potential to make venipuncture a more fun and less unpleasant experience for children with CKD, as measured in the present study for the first time. Finally, in exploratory analyses, children aged 7–11 in the VR group reported 55% lower worst pain than control subjects in the same age range, whereas children aged 12 to 17 in the VR group only reported 35% lower worst pain than control subjects. Additional research and development using more immersive VR is recommended.
Highlights
Children and adolescent patients with kidney disease reported a significant reduction in pain intensity when they used virtual reality (VR) compared with the No VR group
Results showed for the first time in chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients that in addition to reducing sensory pain, VR distraction was useful for managing the emotional component of pain as indicated by the significantly lower levels of pain unpleasantness and significantly more fun during venipuncture reported by patients in the Yes VR group compared with the patients in the No VR control group
This study contributes to a small but growing literature that supports the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) distraction as a psychological technique for pain control during venipuncture in patients with chronic kidney disease
Summary
Pediatric pain management in hospitals is a priority [1,2]. There is strong evidence that undertreated pain has damaging effects on patient’s experience during medical procedures, and excessive procedural pain is predictive of higher levels of pain and anxiety during the successive procedures [3,4,5]. Unpleasant medical experiences can lead to avoidance of hospitals, reducing preventative medicine, and increasing healthcare costs [6]. As analyzing blood has become increasingly sophisticated, needle-related procedures are some of the most common painful procedures carried out in hospitals.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
