Effect of Virtual Reality on Distraction of Children Attention during Dressing of Second Degree Burns

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescent with serious burns require nursing and medical care to alleviate pain. As a non-pharmacological adjuvant analgesic used to divert children's attention, virtual reality (VR) has gained popularity. The study aimed to evaluate effect of virtual reality on distraction of children attention during dressing of second-degree burns. Subjects and method: Purposive Sampling of 50 children with second degree of burn participated in the study. The study was conducted at Pediatric Burn Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery department of Tanta University. Four tools were used to gather data: burn wound assessment, children behavioral distress observational check list, pain assessment tool, and physiological measurement sheet. Results: The study cleared that there were statistically significant differences in pain attention, behavioral distress and improving physiological parameters for children with second degree burn during dressing change using virtual reality distraction in study group than control group. Conclusion: Virtual reality as distraction technique appeared to be effective in reducing pain attention, behavioral distress and enhancing physiological parameters during dressing change in children with second degree burn. Recommendation: Creating periodic in-service educational program for all nurses working in the burn unit to learn about the use of virtual reality to lessen the pain associated with burn dressing.