In recent years, technology has played a crucial role in improving various medical practices. A clear example of this is the use of virtual reality to reduce fear and pain during pediatric procedures. Innoarea Projects, in collaboration with Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (CEU UCH), has developed an immersive virtual reality experience that has proven to be highly effective in pediatric vaccination. Below, we will explain in more detail the project and its results.
A Virtual Reality Experience for Pediatric Vaccination
Innoarea Projects embarked on developing a virtual reality experience aimed at alleviating the fear and pain experienced by children during vaccination. This technology was implemented in collaboration with the research team from the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy at Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera. The project was conducted at the Tres Forques Health Center in Valencia, where a clinical trial involving 162 children took place.
The virtual reality experience created by Innoarea Projects immersed children in an interactive and engaging environment during the vaccination process. To be more specific, the experience involves a series of fun minigames where children must complete puzzles and interact with animals. Equipped with virtual reality goggles, children were able to explore virtual worlds and participate in activities that distracted their attention from the medical procedure. This immersive distraction was compared with standard distraction techniques used in the control group.
Results of the Clinical Study on Virtual Reality in Vaccination
The results of the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, are revealing:
- Significant Pain Reduction: Children using virtual reality goggles reported a significantly lower perception of pain compared to the control group using standard distraction techniques. Median pain scores were 67.3 in the virtual reality group versus 95.3 in the control group.
- Fear Reduction: Similarly, fear levels were significantly lower in the virtual reality group. Median fear scores were 73.9 in the virtual reality group compared to 88.9 in the control group.
- Higher Parental Satisfaction: Parents’ satisfaction with the vaccination procedure was notably higher in the virtual reality group. Median satisfaction scores were 87.4 for the virtual reality group versus 73.6 for the control group. This increase in parental satisfaction may contribute to better adherence to the vaccination schedule.
- Independence of Gender and Age: The study also found that pain and fear did not vary significantly based on the child’s gender. However, younger children reported more pain than older children, although this did not affect the effectiveness of VR in reducing fear.
These results underscore the potential of virtual reality as an effective and accessible tool to enhance the vaccination experience in children, reducing pain and fear while increasing parental satisfaction. This may encourage greater vaccine adherence and contribute to herd immunity.
Awards and recognitions received by the project
The project “Child Vaccines, No Fear of Pain!” has received significant recognition for its innovative use of virtual reality to reduce pain and fear in pediatric vaccination.
The Dr. López Trigo 2020 Award was granted by the Research Foundation of the General University Hospital of Valencia, in the Primary Care category. This award highlights the excellence of the project and provides funding to continue the study at the Fuensanta Health Center, involving 470 children aged 3 to 14 years.
In June 2022, the Good Practices Diploma in the Valencian Health System was received, with the project being one of the five recognized by the València-Hospital General Department. The diploma was presented by the Minister of Universal Health and Public Health, Miguel Mínguez, highlighting the innovative and effective practices in child healthcare.
These awards and recognitions underscore the relevance and impact of the project in the field of pediatric health, reaffirming its significant contribution to improving the vaccination experience for children and their families, as well as the advancements achieved through the use of new technologies.
Advantages of using Virtual Reality in the healthcare sector
The use of virtual reality (VR) in the healthcare sector presents numerous advantages that are transforming both patient care and professional training. Among its key benefits are:
- Pain and anxiety reduction: VR is used as a distraction tool during painful procedures, helping to reduce the patient’s perception of pain and anxiety. This is particularly useful in pediatric vaccination, as demonstrated by the project “Child Vaccines, No Fear of Pain!”
- Medical training and simulation: VR enables healthcare professionals to practice complex procedures in a safe and controlled environment. This improves their skills and reduces risks associated with practicing on real patients.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy: VR-based rehabilitation programs offer interactive and motivating exercises for patients, enhancing treatment adherence and therapeutic outcomes.
- Treatment of mental disorders: VR has been effective in treating phobias, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing a controlled environment where patients can confront and overcome their fears.
- Accessibility and treatment personalization: VR facilitates access to personalized treatments and can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient, improving the effectiveness of medical interventions.
Impact of Virtual Reality on healthcare
Virtual reality is revolutionizing healthcare, offering innovative and effective solutions for a wide range of health issues. Projects like this are clear examples of the positive impact of virtual reality in the healthcare sector. These advancements not only enhance the patient experience but also contribute to more efficient and higher-quality care. As technology continues to evolve, we are likely to see even greater adoption of virtual reality across various healthcare domains, expanding its benefits and reaching more patients worldwide.
At Innoarea Projects, we are at the forefront of this transformation, developing virtual reality solutions that make a difference. If you are interested in learning more about how virtual reality can benefit your organization, we invite you to contact us.
