Efficacy of a nursing intervention with virtual reality in paediatric emergency department: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Introduction:Virtual Reality (VR) is a tool that has proved effective in many studies within the health field. The aim of the study is to analyze its efficacy as a non- pharmacological distraction method during venopuncture or peripheral venous catheterization (pvc) techniques a pediatric Emergency Department.

Methodology:Randomized clinical trial. All children who met the inclusion criteria were included. VR was applied during the techniques in the intervention group, while in the control group the usual methods of distraction were applied. After the intervention, the following data were collected: child age and gender, difficulty during vein catheterization, pain levels (Wong-Baker and numerical scale) and anxiety manifested (Gronninger discale). Parental satisfaction was also analyzed (numerical scale).

Results:Mean values of pain and anxiety were lower in the intervention group (n = 9) in relation to the control group (n = 8), although no statistically significant results were found. We also obtained higher mean levels of satisfaction in parents of children in the intervention group, without obtaining statistically significant results.

Conclusions:VR is an effective tool to reduce pain and anxiety levels during venipuncture in pediatric patients. The parents showed satisfaction with this intervention, in the same way that our colleges did. More research is needed to get the most out of new technologies in the healthcare field.