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Clinical Trial
. 2009 Jun;34(5):574-84.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsn023. Epub 2008 Mar 26.

Effects of videogame distraction using a virtual reality type head-mounted display helmet on cold pressor pain in children

Lynnda M Dahlquist  1 , Karen E Weiss, Lindsay Dillinger Clendaniel, Emily F Law, Claire Sonntag Ackerman, Kristine D McKenna
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Effects of videogame distraction using a virtual reality type head-mounted display helmet on cold pressor pain in children

Lynnda M Dahlquist et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To test whether a head-mounted display helmet enhances the effectiveness of videogame distraction for children experiencing cold pressor pain.

Method: Forty-one children, aged 6-14 years, underwent one or two baseline cold pressor trials followed by two distraction trials in which they played the same videogame with and without the helmet in counterbalanced order. Pain threshold (elapsed time until the child reported pain) and pain tolerance (total time the child kept the hand submerged in the cold water) were measured for each cold pressor trial.

Results: Both distraction conditions resulted in improved pain tolerance relative to baseline. Older children appeared to experience additional benefits from using the helmet, whereas younger children benefited equally from both conditions. The findings suggest that virtual reality technology can enhance the effects of distraction for some children. Research is needed to identify the characteristics of children for whom this technology is best suited.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Estimated means and standard deviations for pain tolerance scores across experimental conditions.
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