Retrospective Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Virtual Reality in a Pediatric Hospital

Abstract

Nonpharmacological interventions for reducingchildhood anxiety include use of distraction, an inviting environment, child and parental preparation, and positive staff interactions. [5][6][7] Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS), who have master's degrees focused on coping strategies for pediatric patients and promotion of optimal patient experiences, often lead these interventional services for pediatric hospitals. 8 Although CCLS utilize multiple traditional coping strategies such as therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education, novel techniques play an important role in anxiolysis. 8 Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool for anxiety reduction. VR effectively attenuates pain perception and distress during hospitalizations. 9-13 Given the reduction in the cost of portable VR units, VR has expanded to a variety of hospital care areas. 10,[14][15][16] Reportedly, CCLS play an integral role in the utilization of VR headsets throughout the hospital. [17][18][19] Although full hospital integration is rare, CCLS have successfully launched VR in perioperative units, heart centers, phlebotomy labs, acute care centers, and emergency departments. [17][18][19] Studies have generally reported few or no side effects associated with VR for pediatric patients. 11,13,[19][20][21][22] Adverse events, although rare and short-lived, may include motion sickness, nausea, or dizziness. The risk of collision also exists for specific cases of VR use. Additionally, pediatric patients may be less able to verbalize VR-associated

“Doc McStuffins: Doctor for a Day” Virtual Reality (DocVR) for Pediatric Preoperative Anxiety and Satisfaction: Pediatric Medical Technology Feasibility Study

“…Safety concerns for pediatric VR have focused on the physical fit of the device (headsets may be too big for some young children and, if not worn correctly, can cause physical discomfort), safety around device use (such as accidentally bumping into objects in the real world), and health impacts of VR. Some users experience dizziness, headaches, and motion sickness during or after VR, but over 15 years of pediatric studies have demonstrated the overall safety and minimal side effects of VR in children as young as 6 years [21,22,[43][44][45][46]. In our study, which included 42 patients under the age of 12 years, no patients reported any symptoms after using the VR headset.…”

Estrategias no farmacológicas como adyuvantes para manejo del dolor agudo por punción en pediatría

“…Actualmente, el estándar de oro en pediatría para el manejo de dolor en procedimientos de venopunción es la anestesia tópica; sin embargo, por su efecto tardío, su uso es limitado 10 . Ante la necesidad de estrategias efectivas para el manejo del dolor surgen métodos no farmacológicos alternativos como la realidad virtual 11 y Buzzy®, los cuales actúan de manera inmediata por medio de la distracción de los sentidos e incluso prevenir la sedación 12 . Bergomi et al refieren que estos métodos que involucran diferentes sentidos, alteran la percepción del dolor, reducen el estrés en el paciente y logran una mayor adherencia a los procedimientos y tratamientos, especialmente en aquellos que son a largo plazo 13 .…”

“…Posteriormente, la información es procesada en los núcleos medial y lateral del tálamo. Finalmente, mediante la neurona de tercer orden se envía el mensaje a la corteza somatosensitiva, donde se percibe la intensidad y localización de la lesión 11 .…”

“…Entre los mediadores inflamatorios involucrados en la emisión o continuación de la señal dolorosa en la vía ascendente del dolor se encuentran la 5-hidroxitriptamina, iones hidrógeno, citocinas, bradicinina, histamina, prostaglandinas y leucotrienos. La transmisión de la señal es inhibida o atenuada a través de las vías descendentes inhibitorias mediante opioides y canabinoides endógenos, ácido gamma aminobutírico, colecistocinina y óxido nítrico 11 .…”

Using Augmented Reality to Reduce Fear and Promote Cooperation During Pediatric Otolaryngologic Procedures

“…Although VR has been successfully used for pediatric vascular access, removing children from comforting people in the real world has resulted in patient anxiety. 3 AR offers a potential advantage, utilizing distracting holographic images when patients maintain eye contact with parents. The primary objective was to determine the effect of AR on fear during pediatric otolaryngologic procedures.…”