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The use of virtual reality in pediatric allergy clinics leads to a marked reduction in pain and fear during skin prick testing.
A clinical trial led by Cihangir Sahin et al. has shown that virtual reality (VR) can make skin prick testing—a routine but often uncomfortable procedure in pediatric allergy clinics—less painful and frightening for children.
Skin prick tests are widely employed to identify allergies, yet many young patients experience significant distress during the process. Hence, this trial explored the effect of VR on pain and fear in 233 children scheduled for skin prick testing. Of these, 75 children (aged 4 to 10 years) met the eligibility criteria and were randomly assigned to two groups. In the VR group (n=25), children wore VR goggles throughout the test, while those in the control group (n=25) underwent the standard procedure without distraction. Randomization was based on age and gender to ensure balanced groups.
Pain and fear were assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale and the Child Fear Scale, with input from children, their parents, and researchers. The results revealed that children in the VR group reported markedly lower pain and fear when compared with the control group. No adverse effects related to VR use were observed. Researchers concluded that VR is a safe and effective tool to ease children’s distress during allergy testing.
By improving comfort, VR may also enhance adherence to follow-up visits and treatment, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes. This study supports the integration of VR technology into pediatric allergy practice as a routine strategy for tackling procedural pain and anxiety.
European Journal of Pediatrics
The effect of virtual reality on skin prick test-related pain and fear in children: a randomized controlled trial
Cihangir Sahin et al.
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