Gershon Jonathan, Zimand Elana, Lemos Rosemarie, Rothbaum Barbara Olasov, Hodges Larry
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Cyberpsychol Behav. 2003 Dec;6(6):657-61. doi: 10.1089/109493103322725450.
Virtual reality (VR) has been demonstrated as an effective tool to help people overcome a variety of anxiety disorders. In this case study, the use of VR as a distractor to alleviate pain and anxiety associated with an invasive medical procedure for a pediatric cancer patient was explored. An A-B-C-A design during four consecutive medical appointments in an outpatient oncology clinic compared no distraction (A), non-VR distraction on a computer screen (B), and VR distraction with a head set (C). Behavioral observations of distress by the researcher and reports of pain and anxiety by the patient, parent, and nurse were taken before and during the procedure. The child's pulse was monitored throughout the procedure. The findings from this case study suggest benefit from using VR distraction, as indicated by lower pain and anxiety ratings, reduced pulse, and fewer observed behavioral indices of distress. The need for larger scale studies and application of VR with younger children is discussed in the context of confirming effectiveness of this technique and providing more generalizable information about efficacy.
虚拟现实（VR）已被证明是帮助人们克服各种焦虑症的有效工具。在本案例研究中，探讨了使用VR作为分散注意力的手段，以减轻一名儿科癌症患者侵入性医疗程序相关的疼痛和焦虑。在门诊肿瘤诊所连续四次医疗预约期间采用A - B - C - A设计，比较了无分散注意力措施（A）、电脑屏幕上的非VR分散注意力措施（B）和头戴式VR分散注意力措施（C）。在操作前和操作期间，由研究人员进行痛苦行为观察，并由患者、家长和护士报告疼痛和焦虑情况。在整个操作过程中监测孩子的脉搏。该案例研究的结果表明，使用VR分散注意力有好处，表现为疼痛和焦虑评分较低、脉搏降低以及观察到的痛苦行为指标较少。在确认该技术的有效性并提供更具普遍性的疗效信息的背景下，讨论了开展更大规模研究以及将VR应用于年幼儿童的必要性。
