Using a Virtual Reality Headset to Decrease Pain Felt During a Venipuncture Procedure in Children.

PURPOSE

This experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of using a virtual reality headset on decreasing the pain felt during a venipuncture procedure in children.

DESIGN

This was a randomized controlled study.

METHODS

The population included 120 children (experimental group = 60, control group = 60) aged 9-12 years who underwent blood collection at a children's hospital clinic. This study collected data using the information form regarding introductory characteristics of children and the venipuncture procedure, the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale.

FINDINGS

This study found that the levels of pain that experimental group children felt during the venipuncture procedure were lower than the levels of pain indicated by control group children (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that using a virtual reality headset has an effect on decreasing the pain felt during the venipuncture procedure.