Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Effective management of procedural pain and anxiety in paediatric patients remains a critical challenge in clinical practice. While pharmacological interventions are effective, their limitations and side effects have increased the need for complementary, non-pharmacological approaches. Virtual reality (VR) distraction techniques offer immersive, multisensory engagement that may effectively divert attention away from painful stimuli, reducing pain perception and procedural distress.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR distraction techniques in reducing procedural pain and anxiety in children undergoing minor medical procedures compared to standard care.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 120 paediatric patients aged 5-15 years undergoing procedures such as venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, and wound dressing. Participants were randomized to receive either VR distraction or standard care. Pain and anxiety were assessed at three time points (pre-, during, and post-procedure) using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), respectively. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, Cohen’s d effect sizes, and permutation testing.
Results: Children in the VR group reported significantly lower procedural pain (mean 3.22 ± 1.55) compared to the control group (5.66 ± 1.84; p < 0.001), with a large effect size (d = −1.43). Anxiety scores were also significantly lower in the VR group (29.51 ± 8.93 vs. 45.61 ± 10.54; p < 0.001; d = −1.67). VR distraction resulted in a lower need for rescue analgesia (20.0% vs. 35.0%; p = 0.018) and higher patient satisfaction (8.73 ± 0.86 vs. 7.42 ± 1.08; p < 0.001). Pain and anxiety reductions were most pronounced during the procedure, indicating strong real-time analgesic and anxiolytic effects.
Conclusion: VR distraction techniques provide a powerful, child-friendly, non-pharmacological method to alleviate procedural pain and anxiety in paediatric settings. Integrating VR into clinical practice can enhance patient comfort, reduce reliance on pharmacological interventions, and improve the overall care experience. Broader implementation of VR protocols, combined with staff training and accessibility initiatives, could transform paediatric pain management strategies in both hospital and outpatient care.