Application of virtual reality in hospitalized oncology children subjected to invasive procedures: A case study

Abstract

Invasive procedures in cancer patients are painful and produce elevated anxiety, especially in children and young people. Technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), are currently available to reduce these adverse effects. There is evidence of the benefits of these methods in adult patients, but experience in children is minimal. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of VR to reduce anxiety and perceived pain in two children aged 9 and 11, oncological patients receiving catheter puncture in a hospital in Alicante, Spain. Methods: Assessment and treatment implementation were structured in three sessions (evaluation, intervention without VR and intervention with VR). STAI-C was used to evaluate the child’s anxiety status. Faces Pain Scale Revised to evaluate the child’s perceived pain, and an ad-hoc questionnaire to evaluate the parents’ and health personnel’s perception of anxiety and pain. Results: We obtain a decrease in pain perception and anxiety level in both subjects, their parents and healthcare personnel when VR was used, compared with the intervention without VR. Conclusions: These results contribute to the development of palliative tools for painful interventions with children subjected to invasive treatments.