Effectiveness of virtual reality distraction on pain perception and fear among children with cancer undergoing IV cannulation

Background: Cancer children are subjected to multiple cannulations during hospitalization. Pain and fear are most common during invasive procedures that are performed, especially IV cannulation, which can lead to worry. Exactly 25% of children are reported to have a fear of needle-related procedures. To examine the impact of virtual reality (VR) distraction on pain perception and fear in children with cancer undergoing IV cannulation. Materials and Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, 80 cancer children with IV cannulation between ages 7–18 were recruited to the intervention and control group (N = 40 + 40) using the purposive sampling technique. The virtual reality distraction device was used 10 min before the peripheral IV cannulation procedure and remained in place until the procedure was completed in the intervention group, and no device was used in the control group. Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Children's Fear Scale were used to assess the pain and fear of children and their mothers. Result: Pain perception was found to be significantly lower in the VR distraction group among both children and mothers (1.82 ± 0.18, 8.01 ± 3.21) 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.82, 2.16] compared to the control group, respectively (P = 0.001**). Fear was found to be significantly lower in the VR distraction group among both children and mothers (0.81 ± 0.71, 3.01 ± 1.42) 95% CI [0.46, 0.91]. A strong positive correlation was found between children's and mothers' pain perception (r = 0.91, P = 0.001**) and fear (r = 0.84, P = 0.001**). Conclusion: VR distraction can be used as an effective device in pain and fear management among children undergoing IV cannulation