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Virtual reality can help children to manage pain without the use of drugs, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology in October. The study, which used VR during blood drawing at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, found that using VR significantly reduced acute procedural pain and anxiety in patients compared to using the standard of care.
The study also reported that patients who reported being more fearful of physiological sensations related to anxiety benefited more from the VR treatment.
“The integration of technology, specifically virtual reality, in the context of health care, has far-reaching implications for acute and chronic disease in children and adults,” author of the study Jeffrey Gold said in an email MobiHealthNews. “In particular, the current findings reflect the capacity of VR to minimize pain and anxiety in children undergoing blood draw. Generations of patients have needle fear and VR may have the capacity to reduce that phobia. Additionally, reduced needle phobia may lead to greater medical adherence and improved patient satisfaction with their overall medical treatment experience.”
The study was comprised of 143 pediatric patients, plus their caregivers and their phlebotomists.
The study also reported that patients who reported being more fearful of physiological sensations related to anxiety benefited more from the VR treatment. “The integration of technology, specifically virtual reality, in the context of health care, has far-reaching implications for acute and chronic disease in children and adults,” author of the study Jeffrey Gold said in an email MobiHealthNews. “In particular, the current findings reflect the capacity of VR to minimize pain and anxiety in children undergoing blood draw. Generations of patients have needle fear and VR may have the capacity to reduce that phobia. Additionally, reduced needle phobia may lead to greater medical adherence and improved patient satisfaction with their overall medical treatment experience.” The study was comprised of 143 pediatric patients, plus their caregivers and their phlebotomists.