Usefulness of virtual reality in the management of pain associated with venepuncture: a multicentre randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain and anxiety associated with scheduled blood draws. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted multicentre randomized clinical trial in both primary care and hospital settings. The study included children aged 7-12 years undergoing blood extraction procedures between March and October 2022. The intervention group used headsets, and the control group received usual care. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale and anxiety using the Groningen Distress Scale. The anxiety of the nursing staff and family satisfaction were assessed with numerical scales ranging from 1 to 10. RESULTS: The study included 83 patients 40 in the control group and 43 in the VR group. The median age was 10 years (range, 7-12 years). In the VR group, 83.7% of the children reported mild pain, compared to 57.5% in the control group (P = .012). Also, 93% of children in the VR group showed calm or mild anxiety (score, 1-2), compared to 72% of the control group, a difference that was not statistically significant (P = .08). Family satisfaction was higher in the RV group (score ≥ 9/10 93% of RV group vs 72.5% of control group; P = .026). The nursing staff anxiety score was less than 5 in more than 90% of cases, with no differences between groups (P = .13). CONCLUSION: The use of VR during venepuncture decreases the pain perceived by children and increases the satisfaction of their families.