Virtual Reality: Is It Helping Children Cope with Fear and Pain During Vaccination?

Abstract

Background Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative distraction technology in health care, but little is known about this topic in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using VR to reduce pain and fear among children during vaccination. Methods It is a cross-sectional study design. A total of 104 children (ages 4–6 years) receiving routine vaccinations in a single primary health care in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia, participated in the study and grouped to a VR technology intervention group or vaccination as usual without VR distraction. The primary outcome is the difference in the child’s self-rated fear and pain scores between those who have been vaccinated with or without VR distraction, measured by the two validated international facial expressions scales Wong–Baker FACES Pain Scale and Children’s Fear Scale. Results In the two-month study period, 53 children were vaccinated using the VR technology and 50 children were vaccinated without VR. Bivariate analysis showed a significantly lower pain score among the VR group ( =1.36, SD 2.06) compared with the group without VR ( =6.90, SD 3.47) (P-value < 0.001). Similarly, fear score was lower in the VR group ( =0.64, SD 0.92) compared with the group without VR ( =2.88, SD1.55) (P < 0.001). In multivariable regression models adjusted for age and gender, children vaccinated using the VR technology had significantly lower pain and fear scores compared with those who were vaccinated as usual without VR distraction. Conclusion VR technology showed a positive impact on reducing pain and fear among children aged 4–6 years during vaccination. Policymakers are encouraged to expand the use of this distraction tool in primary health centers to improve the vaccination experience among children.

Use of virtual reality in managing paediatric procedural pain and anxiety: An integrative literature review

“…SnowWorld was the first immersive VR game designed for pain reduction in patients undergoing burn wound care (Hoffman et al, 2008). In other studies ( n = 20), children experienced a VR adventure during their medical procedure, such as going on a rollercoaster ride, swimming underwater, travelling around the world or enjoying nature (Althumairi et al, 2021; Aydın & Özyazıcıoğlu, 2019; Canares et al, 2021; Chad et al, 2018; Chan et al, 2019; Chau et al, 2018; Chen et al, 2020; Clerc et al, 2021; Erdogan & Aytekin Ozdemir, 2021; Gerçeker et al, 2020; Gerçeker et al, 2021; Goldman & Behboudi, 2021; Knight et al, 2019; Litwin et al, 2021; Ran et al, 2021; Sander Wint et al, 2002; Scapin et al, 2017; Semerci et al, 2021; Ustuner Top and Kuzlu Ayyıldız, 2021; Xiang et al, 2021). Finally, some children selected a cartoon or movie to watch in their VR headset during their dental or needle‐related procedure ( n = 15) (Ali et al, 2021; Alshatrat et al, 2021; Asl Aminabadi et al, 2012; Felemban et al, 2021; Gerçeker et al, 2018; Koticha et al, 2019; Lee et al, 2021; Mbazzi et al, 2021; Mohanasundari et al, 2021; Niharika et al, 2018; Nunna et al, 2019; Rao et al, 2019; Shetty et al, 2019; Toledo Del Castillo et al, 2019; Wong et al, 2020).…”

Non-Pharmacological Management for Vaccine-Related Pain in Children in the Healthcare Setting: A Scoping Review

“… First grade students 90 Gungor T 32 2021 Turkey Randomized controlled trial To investigate the effects of local heat and cold. Infants aged 2–6 months 96 Althumairi A 40 2021 Saudi Arabia Quasi-experimental study To assess the effects of VR on pain and fear. Children aged 4–6 years 104 Khanjari S 31 2021 Iran Randomized controlled trial To assess the effects of Buzzy on pain and anxiety.…”

“… Gungor T 32 No intervention Local heat application; Local cold application 2 min before vaccination FLACC Local cold and heat application could relieve the pain, while local heat application was more effective. Althumairi A 40 No intervention Virtual reality 2 min during vaccination WBFPRS Virtual reality could relieve the pain. Khanjari S 31 No intervention BUZZY; Placebo (off BUZZY device without cold) During vaccination WBFPRS Pain in the BUZZY group was significantly lower than the placebo and control groups.…”

“…Virtual reality (VR) is a computer technology that synthesizes a simulated environment, which mobilizes multiple senses through immersive experience, enabling users to gain immersion in a simulated three-dimensional space. 39 According to a study, 40 children wear VR glasses to watch a 3D animated adventure story, and nurses administered the vaccines synchronously according to the actions of the characters in the story. The findings showed that children in the VR group had lower self-reported pain scores than the control group.…”

Experiencing herd immunity in virtual reality increases COVID-19 vaccination intention: Evidence from a large-scale field intervention study

“…Only recently, research started to exploit the features of VR in vaccination communication. Besides research investigating the potential of immersive VR to distract children from pain and reduce anxiety from the vaccination procedure (Althumairi et al, 2021;Arane et al, 2017), we are only aware of three studies that made use of VR in the communication of vaccine-relevant information-including the individual and collective benefit of vaccination-to help people making an informed vaccination decision ((Mottelson et al, 2021;Nowak et al, 2020;Vandeweerdt et al, 2022).…”