The challenge: Eradicating needle phobia and vaccine hesitancy
CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH)
Internationally renowned academic institution focused on cutting-edge research in Health Sciences.
The solution: “Children’s vaccinations, without fear of pain!”
In collaboration with CEU UCH, Innoarea developed an immersive virtual reality application that uses glasses to sensory isolate the patient. Through a series of mini-games and puzzles in 360° environments, children interact with animals in polar landscapes, deserts, and forests while receiving the vaccine.
This active distraction strategy forces the brain to process complex visual and auditory information, minimising pain perception. The protocol was tested in a randomised clinical trial at the Tres Forques Health Centre in Valencia, demonstrating unprecedented efficacy in paediatric nursing.
Children who used VR reported “zero pain”, compared to 9.8% of the control group.
Healthcare professionals say that VR facilitates clinical procedures and would like to use it regularly in their daily practice.
Improvement in parents’ overall satisfaction with procedures
- Different interactive natural settings designed for sensory deprivation
- Results published in the prestigious international journal Journal of Clinical Nursing
- Standalone, portable hardware without annoying cables.
- Intuitive interface specifically designed for use by healthcare professionals
Key findings
The project, whose results have been published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Nursing, demonstrates that Innoarea’s technology is dramatically more effective than standard distraction techniques. The data shows that children who use VR experience 17% less fear than those who only receive traditional support from their parents or toys, transforming a critical public health process into a positive experience.
This success story is not only backed by scientific evidence, but also recognised by the highest health authorities:
- Dr. López Trigo Award 2020: Awarded by the Research Foundation of the General University Hospital of Valencia in the Primary Care category, highlighting the excellence and methodological rigour of the project.
- Diploma of Good Practices of the Valencian Health System (2022): Recognition awarded by the Regional Ministry of Universal Health and Public Health to the most innovative and effective practices in child health care.
