Virtual Reality for Procedural Pain During IV Cannulation in Children

NCT07740850 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: EGE-ETHICS-22-5.1T-33Project No: 32350
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 150
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates whether virtual reality (VR)-based distraction can reduce pain during intravenous cannulation and venous blood sampling in children treated in a pediatric emergency department. Children aged 6-11 years who required these procedures received either standard care or VR distraction using age-appropriate audiovisual content. The primary outcome was procedure-related pain measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included procedural duration, cooperation, first-attempt success, behavioral distress, and parental satisfaction. The study also explored whether the effectiveness of VR was associated with patient engagement during the procedure.

Conditions

Procedural Pain

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Pediatric Emergency Department; Procedural Pain; Intravenous Cannulation; Venous Blood Sampling; Pain Management; Distraction Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Procedure-related pain

  Procedure-related pain assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) following intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling.

  Immediately after the procedure

Study Arms (1)

Virtual Reality Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Children received age-appropriate audiovisual distraction through a virtual reality headset during intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling procedures.

Device: Virtual Reality-Based Distraction

Interventions

Virtual Reality-Based Distraction DEVICE

Participants received age-appropriate audiovisual distraction through a virtual reality headset (Meta Quest 3S) during intravenous cannulation or venous blood sampling. The intervention aimed to reduce procedural pain and distress by redirecting attention away from the procedure toward immersive VR content.

Virtual Reality Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 11 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ege University

Izmir, 35100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Procedural; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2026
• First Posted: August 3, 2026
• Study Start: September 13, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 22, 2026
• Study Completion: January 22, 2026
• Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)