The outcomes of a recent multicentre randomized clinical trial favored the use of virtual reality (VR) as a distraction method for alleviating pain and anxiety associated with scheduled blood draws in pediatrics aged 7–12 years. The study, conducted across primary care and hospital settings shed light on the potential of VR technology as a valuable tool for routine blood sample collection in pediatric healthcare.

Overall, 83 participants were segregated into two groups: the intervention group, equipped with VR headsets (n=43), and the control group, which received standard care (n=40). Pain levels were examined using the visual analogue scale (VAS), while anxiety was estimated through the Groningen Distress Scale. Furthermore, the study gauged the anxiety levels of nursing staff and assessed family satisfaction utilizing numerical scales ranging from 1 to 10.

The VR group exhibited noteworthy outcomes. A significant percentage of children in the VR group reported only mild pain during blood extraction when compared to the control group (P = .012), as illustrated in Table 1:

Although not statistically significant, a promising 93% of children in the VR group exhibited calm or mild anxiety (score, 1−2), compared to 72% in the control group (P = .08). Family satisfaction sprouted as a key indicator of success for the VR intervention, with 93% of the VR group scoring satisfaction levels ≥ 9/10, surpassing the 72.5% recorded in the control group (P = .026). Remarkably, the nursing staff's anxiety score was consistently below 5 in over 90% of cases, with no discernible differences between the study groups (P = .13).

In conclusion, the use of VR during venepuncture demonstrated a tangible reduction in the pain experienced by children, along with heightened satisfaction levels among their families. This innovative application of VR technology presents a valuable avenue for boosting the overall experience of pediatric blood draws, showcasing the potential for broader integration into healthcare practices. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of VR in pediatric medical interventions.