The role of virtual reality on pain during intravenous cannulation and preoperative separation anxiety in paediatric patients: A prospective randomised study

Background: Pain and anxiety in paediatric patients creates significant problems for the patients and the treating physicians. Virtual reality is a relatively new intervention that can be used to provide distraction. Aim: The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate virtual reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological intervention tool to reduce pain and anxiety in patients of paediatric age group undergoing intravenous cannulation. Methods: This was a prospective randomised trial that enrolled paediatric patients of age group 7-11 years. Patients were randomly allocated to virtual reality group where they were made to wear VR headgear and videos were played and standard Emla cream group where cream was applied at the intended site of intravenous cannulation. Results: Patients using VR exhibited lower pain and anxiety score during intravenous cannulation. Conclusions: This current study found that application of immersive VR had better pain alleviation and parent separation anxiety score when compared with non-VR group patient.