The effect of watching videos with virtual reality glasses on pain and fear in children who undergoing suturing in the emergency department: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine the effects of watching videos with virtual reality glasses on pain and fear in children aged 7–12 who applied to the emergency room for suturing.

Design and methods

This study randomized controlled design was conducted in the emergency department of a public hospital between October 2022 and November 2024. 84 children aged 7–12 years were assigned to two different groups using block randomization method. The child, parent, and researcher assessed pain using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, and fear using the Children's Fear Scale. The study data were analyzed using the Chi-square and independent Sample t-tests.

Results

The groups were similar in clinical and demographic characteristics. The pain and fear scores of the group watching the video with the virtual reality glasses during and after the procedure were lower than those of the control group. Children who watched the video with virtual reality glasses had lower pain scores during the procedure (n = 37; 2.54 ± 2.09, p < 0.001), after the procedure (1.35 ± 1.57; p < 0.001), and fear scores during the procedure (1,68 ± 1.40; p < 0.001), after procedure (0.59 ± 1.07; p < 0.001) than the control group.

Conclusion

This study found that watching videos with virtual reality glasses was effective in reducing pain and fear in children aged 7–12 who undergoing sutures.

Practice implications

The cost-effective, easily accessible and effective (reducing pain and fear) video viewing technique with virtual reality glasses during the suturing procedure can be used safely in children between the ages of 7 and 12.

Clinical Trials ID: NCT05543876.