The effect of virtual reality on pain and fear levels of children with primary immunodeficiency applying intravenous immunoglobulin during intravenous access: A crossover randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of watching Epic Roller Coasters with virtual reality (VR) or a tablet on pain, fear, and emotional behaviors related to peripheral venous catheterization in children before intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration.

Design and methods: A crossover randomized controlled study was conducted with children aged 4-12 years who had primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID). Participants were randomized into two groups: VR/tablet group (n = 15) and Tablet/VR group (n = 16). Pain was measured during the procedure. Fear and emotional appearance were measured at 3 time points (before catheter insertion, during catheter insertion/during interventions, post-intervention).

Results: In the VR/Tablet group, 46.7 % (n = 7) and in the Tablet/VR group, 50 % (n = 8) of the children were female. In both groups, the mean pain was lower in those who underwent VR and higher in those who used tablets (F = 26.44, p < 0.001). While the fear (F = 14.58, p < 0.001) and emotional appearance (F = 8.312, p < 0.001) scale scores increased when switching from VR to tablet, the fear scores decreased when switching from tablet to VR. While the fear and emotional appearance scale scores were lower in the VR group, the scores were higher in the tablet group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: VR application was more effective than tablets in reducing pain, fear, and negative emotional behaviors related to IV catheterisation in children with PID.

Practice implications: VR was more effective than tablet use in reducing pain, fear, and negative emotions during IV access in children with PID. It is a practical non-pharmacological application in the nursing care of children with PID.