Effect of virtual reality headset for pediatric fear and pain distraction during immunization

Fear of needles is a well-known phobia among children and adults. This study presents the rationale, feasibility and results of a pilot study applying a virtual reality (VR) headset as a fear reduction and pain distraction during immunizations. 17 subjects and 17 parents rated their fear and pain le...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPain management Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 175 - 179
Main Authors Chad, Rudnick, Emaan, Sulaiman, Jillian, Orden
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Future Medicine Ltd 01.05.2018
Subjects
African Americans
Chemotherapy
Childrens health
distraction
fear
Fear & phobias
Hypodermic needles
Immunization
Neurosciences
Pain
Pain management
Parents & parenting
pediatric
Pediatrics
Phlebotomy
procedure
psychology
Smartphones
Virtual reality
pain
virtual reality
distraction
psychology
immunization
procedure
fear
pediatric
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Summary:Fear of needles is a well-known phobia among children and adults. This study presents the rationale, feasibility and results of a pilot study applying a virtual reality (VR) headset as a fear reduction and pain distraction during immunizations. 17 subjects and 17 parents rated their fear and pain level pre- and postimmunization using Wong-Baker pain scale and McMurtry children's fear scale. Immunization was provided, while subject was wearing a VR headset. Ratings of anticipated versus actual fear and pain due to immunizations improved following use of the VR headset in 94.1% of pediatric subjects. The use of a VR headset was well received and reduced overall fear and pain in children receiving immunizations.
ISSN:1758-1869
1758-1877
DOI:10.2217/pmt-2017-0040