Virtual Reality for Procedural Pain During IV Cannulation in Children

Painful procedures such as intravenous cannulation and venous blood sampling are common in pediatric emergency departments and may lead to distress, anxiety, and negative healthcare experiences. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention that may reduce procedural pain through immersive distraction.

This prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department between September 2024 and September 2025. A total of 150 children aged 6-11 years requiring intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling were included. Participants were enrolled sequentially, with 100 children assigned to the VR group and 50 to standard care. The VR intervention consisted of age-appropriate audiovisual content delivered through a VR headset during the procedure.

The primary outcome was procedure-related pain measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included procedural duration, cooperation, first-attempt success, behavioral distress, parental satisfaction, and VR response. The study aimed to assess whether VR distraction may improve procedural experience and reduce procedure-related pain in pediatric emergency settings.

Inclusion criteria

• Children aged 6-11 years
• Requirement for intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling in the -pediatric emergency department
• Ability to understand and engage with virtual reality content
• Written informed consent obtained from parent or legal guardian

Exclusion criteria

• Visual or hearing impairment preventing VR use
• Neurological or developmental disorders affecting communication or cooperation
• Altered level of consciousness
• Hemodynamic instability requiring immediate intervention
• Previous participation in the study
• Refusal of participation by the child or parent/legal guardian
• Contraindications to virtual reality exposure (e.g., severe motion sickness or intolerance)