Effects of Virtual Reality and Tablet Distraction During IV Cannulation in Children

NCT07739381 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2021/284
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 132
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of virtual reality and tablet-based audiovisual distraction on pain, anxiety, and fear in children undergoing intravenous cannulation in a pediatric emergency department. Children aged 7 to 12 years were randomly assigned to three groups: virtual reality, tablet, and control. During intravenous cannulation, children in the virtual reality group watched an entertaining video using a virtual reality headset, while children in the tablet group watched the same video on a tablet. Children in the control group received routine care without an audiovisual distraction intervention. Pain, anxiety, and fear were assessed using age-appropriate validated scales. The study compared the effects of the two distraction methods with routine care and with each other.

Conditions

Procedural Pain; Anxiety; Fear

Keywords

virtual reality; tablet; children; fear; anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain During Intravenous Cannulation

  Pain intensity was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The scale consists of six facial expressions representing increasing levels of pain. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. Pain was assessed immediately after intravenous cannulation.

  Immediately after intravenous cannulation

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Anxiety Before and After Intravenous Cannulation

  Immediately before and immediately after intravenous cannulation

Study Arms (3)

Virtual Reality Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Children watched an age-appropriate entertaining video using a virtual reality headset during intravenous cannulation.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Distraction

tablet Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Children watched the same age-appropriate entertaining video on a tablet during intravenous cannulation.

Behavioral: Tablet Distraction

control group

NO INTERVENTION

Children underwent intravenous cannulation according to routine clinical practice without any audiovisual distraction intervention.

Interventions

Virtual Reality Distraction BEHAVIORAL

Children in the virtual reality group received virtual reality-based distraction during intravenous cannulation. A virtual reality headset was used to divert the child's attention from the procedure.

Virtual Reality Group

Tablet Distraction BEHAVIORAL

Children in the tablet group watched an age-appropriate cartoon on a tablet during intravenous cannulation to divert their attention from the procedure.

tablet Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• It was that the child belonged to the 7-12 age group and was fully conscious.

You may not qualify if:

• Children with hearing, cognitive, or visual impairments; children unaccompanied by a parent; children with whom communication cannot be established; and children with critical health issues and/or conditions requiring immediate intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aydin Adnan Menderes University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kütahya Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital

Kütahya, Kütahya, 4300, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Procedural; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: research asisstant

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to the virtual reality, tablet, or control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: July 31, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2022
• Study Completion: August 1, 2022
• Last Updated: July 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

TU (1)