Author: Praveen Kugathas, McMaster University
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging as promising tools in the treatment of pediatric chronic pain conditions, offering innovative ways to manage both physical and psychological aspects of pain.2 VR engages the user’s senses by producing an incredibly realistic three-dimensional experience. When a child wears a VR headset, they are transported to a different world, effectively diverting their attention away from pain and discomfort. Similarly, AR enhances the pain management experience by incorporating interactive, immersive, and engaging features, enabling children to stay anchored in the real world while benefiting from digital overlays that support therapeutic activities.5 Both VR and AR together make a comprehensive intervention in pediatric pain care. First, for the immediate state of discomfort; secondly, for all those broad emotional and psychological challenges.
VR and AR are changing the way pediatric pain is managed. In addition to distraction, these tools encourage therapeutic engagement through the incorporation of cognitive and physical activities into treatment, which encourages children to participate in rehabilitation exercises that improve their mobility and function.1
The soothing aquatic picture for a nervous child or an interactive game to reduce the tension of a medical procedure are just two examples of how VR and AR experiences may be tailored to meet the needs of each individual.2 This personalized approach would easily enable healthcare professionals to provide the necessary medication, while increasing patient cooperation and turning dreaded hospital stays into exciting adventures. In addition, AR’s ability to decrease anxiety and increase positive feeling generally enhances emotional health, and its home and remote applications allow children to continue with their therapy in a familiar and comfortable environment.5
Figure 1. Effectiveness ratings for AR anxiety reduction. (A) Patient was asked if the AR helped them fall asleep. Mean = 9.1, SD = 1.294, N = 20. (B) Patient was asked how calm they felt before falling asleep. Mean = 8.79, SD = 1.805, N = 14. (C) Patient was asked about satisfaction with falling asleep as a whole. Mean = 9.11, SD = 1.286, N = 19. (D) Mother was asked if they believe the AR reduced their child’s stress. Mean = 9.35, SD = 1.226, N = 20. Responses were recorded on a 0–10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 represents “Not At All” and 10 represents “Extremely.” The results indicate high levels of satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of the use of AR in reducing stress, worry, and promoting calmness before sleep.4
The results from this study reveal a promising interactive intervention with the potential for AR in pediatric pain management in a way that would promote psychological and emotional well-being. High ratings from all panels showed that the game helped participants to be much calmer, reduced stress, and increased their satisfaction with falling asleep.
It serves to indicate that integrating AR and VR in the management of pain in pediatric cases is a significant stride toward reshaping the standard of care. Beyond immediate distraction and anxiety reduction, this technology opens pathways toward improvements in mental resilience, increased control, and less psychological trauma from chronic pain conditions.3 AR and VR drive equity in care through the ability to provide remote treatment solutions that can be scaled in resource-constrained environments. It gives flexibility to the healthcare providers to innovate beyond traditional methods of care for catering to individual patient needs with much more effectiveness, consideration, and inclusivity.4
Works Cited
1. Kuang W, Yang EJ, Truong R, Woo BKP. Bringing virtual reality to mainstream pediatric care [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 30]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11262837/
2. Lin CT, Lane AS, Annick ET, Klein MJ, Lau J, Karnwal A, et al. Liebertpub [Internet]. [cited 2024 Dec 1]. Available from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmxr.2023.0009
3. Arane K, Behboudi A, Goldman RD. Virtual reality for pain and anxiety management in children [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2017 [cited 2024 Nov 30]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5729140/
4. Logan DE, Simons LE, Caruso TJ, Gold JI, Greenleaf W, Griffin A, et al. Leveraging virtual reality and augmented reality to combat chronic pain in youth: Position Paper from the interdisciplinary network on virtual and Augmented Technologies for pain management [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2021 [cited 2024 Nov 30]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8111507/
5. Virtual reality: A new frontier in pediatric pain management – calcium [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Nov 30]. Available from: https://calciumhealth.com/virtual-reality-a-new-frontier-in-pediatric-pain-management/#:~:text=The%20Science%20Behind%20VR%20and%20Pain%20Management&text=This%20sensory%20immersion%20can%3A,making%20medical%20procedures%20less%20daunting
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