An Exploratory Study on the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Analgesia for Children and Adolescents with Kidney Diseases Undergoing Venipuncture

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.

Is Virtual Reality a Game Changer in Pediatrics' Acute Pain Perception?

“…Conversely, onco-hematological patients undergoing venipuncture, experienced no benefit in self-reported pain when exposed to VR implementation; however their Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale during the procedure did not increase, while it increased in the no-distraction group [46]. Both CKD children and cancer patients had significantly reported to have had an overall more enjoyable experience during the venipuncture procedure if exposed to VR [46,47].…”

“…When children suffering from chronic diseases, who are periodically exposed to venipuncture for checking their medical condition, have been considered, two main categories have been studied: chronic kidney diseases (CKD), and cancer patients [46,47]. A parallel RCT including 82 subjects among school-aged children, teen and teenagers with CKD aged between 7 to 17 years old, observed that VR was associated with significantly lower reported 'pain intensity' compared to children exposed to standard of care (non-medical conversation by the nurse in charge of the procedure); in particular, younger children reported a 55% reduction in 'worst pain' during VR, and older children a 35% reduction.…”

A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Virtual Reality Application in Pediatric Patients

“…Aztori et al conducted RCT on children with chronic kidney disease, it involved the use of an immersive VR venipuncture on a psychological pain management strategy during venipuncture, and throughout this process, VR considerably increased fun while significantly reducing the greatest pain and pain unpleasantness. The children who participated in the study were younger than eight years; therefore, they were unable to discern between different pain levels, fear was not examined, and only one venipuncture was used to test pain [ 15 ].…”

Distraction With Virtual Reality Goggles in Paediatric Dental Treatment: A Randomised Controlled Trial

“… 10 Amongst children and adolescents with kidney disease, significantly reduced pain intensity was reported during venipuncture amongst those who used VR compared to those who did not. 11 , 12 …”