Immersive Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety Management Associated with Medical Procedures in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Immersive Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety Management Associated with Medical Procedures in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Sanchez-Caballero E; Ortega-Donaire L; Sanz-Martos S

Children

2024

anxiety; medical procedures; pain; virtual reality; Faces Pain Scale; Likert scale; adolescence; burn; caregiver; computer aided design; computer assisted tomography; cost effectiveness analysis; delirium; dizziness; endoscopy; headache; heart rate; human; immunization; lung function test; meta analysis; metastatic colorectal cancer; outcome assessment; pain intensity; palliative therapy; practice guideline; quality control; questionnaire; randomized controlled trial (topic); rating scale; review; skin conductance; systematic review; vaccination; vein puncture; visual analog scale; wound closure

(1) Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the studies that evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) as a distraction technique for pain and anxiety associated with medical procedures in children and adolescents. (2) The methods involved a systematic review of randomized controlled trials retrieved from databases in health sciences (Pubmed, CINHAL, Scopus, WOS, ProQuest, Cuiden Plus, InDICEs-CSIC). PRISMA guidelines were followed. (3) Results: Twelve trials were included. Four involved venipuncture, four involved surgical procedures, one involved vaccination, one involved burn care, one involved secondary wound closure, and the last one involved subcutaneous port access. (4) Discussion: Children who undergo medical procedures often experience pain and anxiety, which affects their physical condition and their relationships with caregivers and health professionals. Immersive VR is an effective alternative to medications to help in these cases. No author found statistically significant differences against the use of VR for distraction and palliation of pain and anxiety, which seems to be more effective at a younger age. It is important to personalize the immersive VR experience and equipment. (5) <br/>Conclusion(s): VR, when used with analgesics and anesthetics, appears effective in managing pain and distress caused by medical procedures.<br/>Copyright &#xa9; 2024 by the authors.

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November List 2024