Using a Virtual Reality Headset to Decrease Pain Felt During a Venipuncture Procedure in Children

Abstract

Purpose: This experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of using a virtual reality headset on decreasing the pain felt during a venipuncture procedure in children.

Design: This was a randomized controlled study.

Methods: The population included 120 children (experimental group = 60, control group = 60) aged 9-12 years who underwent blood collection at a children's hospital clinic. This study collected data using the information form regarding introductory characteristics of children and the venipuncture procedure, the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale.

Findings: This study found that the levels of pain that experimental group children felt during the venipuncture procedure were lower than the levels of pain indicated by control group children (P < .05).

Conclusions: It was determined that using a virtual reality headset has an effect on decreasing the pain felt during the venipuncture procedure.

Keywords: children; pain; venipuncture procedure; virtual reality headset.