We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Effect of Virtual Reality on Pediatric Pain and Fear During Procedures Involving Needles: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- Authors
Lluesma-Vidal, Marta; González, Raquel Carcelén; García-Garcés, Laura; Sánchez-López, María I.; Peyro, Loreto; Ruiz-Zaldibar, Cayetana
- Abstract
Background: Virtual reality (VR) is used as a distraction measure during painful clinical procedures associated with the use of needles. These procedures include vaccinations, blood draws, or the administration of medications, which can cause children to feel increased levels of pain and fear. Objective: The objective of this study was to collect and analyze the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of VR as a tool to distract children from pain and fear during needle procedures as compared to that of standard techniques. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs with participants younger than 21 years who underwent needle procedures in which the main distraction measure used was VR and where the main outcome measure was pain. The databases searched included the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane libraries. In this systematic review, the studies were analyzed by applying the Critical Appraisal Skills Program guide in Spanish and the Jadad scale. In the meta-analysis, the effect size of the studies was analyzed based on the results for pain and fear in children. Results: From 665 unique search results, 21 studies were included in this systematic review, most of which reported low methodological quality. The study sample cohorts ranged from a minimum of 15 participants to a maximum of 220 participants. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. The global effect of using VR as a distraction measure was a significant reduction in pain (inverse variance [IV] -2.37, 95% CI -3.20 to -1.54; Z=5.58; P<.001) and fear (IV -1.26, 95% CI -1.89 to -0.63; Z=3.92; P<.001) in children in the experimental groups. Conclusions: The quality of the studies was mostly low. The main limitations were the impossibility of blinding the participants and health care personnel to the VR intervention. Nonetheless, the use of VR as a distraction measure was effective in reducing pain and fear in children during procedures involving needles.
- Subjects
VIRTUAL reality; PAIN in children; CLINICAL trials; WEB of Science (Web resource); MEDICAL care
- Publication
JMIR Serious Games, 2022, Vol 10, Issue 3, p1
- ISSN
2291-9279
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2196/35008