Virtual Reality for Procedural Pain During IV Cannulation in Children

Overview

This study evaluates whether virtual reality (VR)-based distraction can reduce pain during intravenous cannulation and venous blood sampling in children treated in a pediatric emergency department. Children aged 6-11 years who required these procedures received either standard care or VR distraction using age-appropriate audiovisual content. The primary outcome was procedure-related pain measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included procedural duration, cooperation, first-attempt success, behavioral distress, and parental satisfaction. The study also explored whether the effectiveness of VR was associated with patient engagement during the procedure.

Painful procedures such as intravenous cannulation and venous blood sampling are common in pediatric emergency departments and may lead to distress, anxiety, and negative healthcare experiences. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention that may reduce procedural pain through immersive distraction. This prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department between September 2024 and September 2025. A total of 150 children aged 6-11 years requiring intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling were included. Participants were enrolled sequentially, with 100 children assigned to the VR group and 50 to standard care. The VR intervention consisted of age-appropriate audiovisual content delivered through a VR headset during the procedure. The primary outcome was procedure-related pain measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included procedural duration, cooperation, first-attempt success, behavioral distress, parental satisfaction, and VR response. The study aimed to assess whether VR distraction may improve procedural experience and reduce procedure-related pain in pediatric emergency settings.