Sahin Cihangir, Cinakli Sule, Atar Bese Simge, Tuncerler Gulten, Torer Nur, Erge Duygu, Uysal Pinar
Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, (ADU Hospital, E Block, Room Number:42), 09100, Efeler, Aydın, Turkey.
Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Jun 18;184(7):427. doi: 10.1007/s00431-025-06262-x.
Skin prick tests are a common method for diagnosing allergies in pediatric allergy clinics. Unfortunately, these tests can be distressing for children, causing pain and fear that can make them challenging to conduct. Virtual reality (VR) can be used to distract children during medical procedures. This study examines the effect of VR on skin prick test-related pain and fear in children. This parallel-group, single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 233 children evaluated at the Pediatric Allergy Clinic and scheduled to undergo skin prick testing between March and June 2024. Among these children, 75 children aged 4-10 years who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups as VR group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25) by block randomization using gender and age group variables. The VR group wore VR goggles during the skin prick test, while the control group underwent the standard procedure. Pain and fear levels were assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Scale and the Child Fear Scale. Children in the VR group exhibited a significant reduction in pain and fear levels associated with the skin prick test experience compared to the control group, as evaluated by children, parents, and researchers (p < 0.05). No side effects related to VR were reported.
Virtual reality can be an effective tool in pediatric allergy clinics to reduce pain and fear during skin prick testing. By enhancing the child's comfort, VR may also improve adherence to allergy follow-up and treatment, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes.
• Children often experience significant pain and fear during invasive procedures such as skin prick tests, and distraction methods have been shown to reduce pain and anxiety.
• This study is the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate that virtual reality (VR) significantly reduces pain and fear during skin prick tests in children. • This study supports the integration of new technologies such as VR as a standard practice for managing pain and fear during skin prick tests in pediatric allergy clinics.
The clinical trial registration number is NCT06421779. Study start date: March 22, 2024. Study completion date: July 22, 2024. ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06421779 ).
皮肤点刺试验是儿科过敏诊所诊断过敏的常用方法。不幸的是，这些测试可能会让孩子感到痛苦，引发疼痛和恐惧，导致测试难以进行。虚拟现实（VR）可用于在医疗程序中分散孩子的注意力。本研究考察了VR对儿童皮肤点刺试验相关疼痛和恐惧的影响。这项平行组、单盲、前瞻性、随机对照试验纳入了233名在儿科过敏诊所接受评估并计划于2024年3月至6月进行皮肤点刺试验的儿童。在这些儿童中，75名年龄在4至10岁且符合纳入标准的儿童，通过使用性别和年龄组变量进行区组随机化，分为VR组（n = 25）和对照组（n = 25）。VR组在皮肤点刺试验期间佩戴VR护目镜，而对照组接受标准程序。使用面部表情疼痛量表（Wong - Baker FACES® Pain Scale）和儿童恐惧量表评估疼痛和恐惧程度。与对照组相比，经儿童、家长和研究人员评估，VR组儿童在皮肤点刺试验过程中表现出与试验相关的疼痛和恐惧程度显著降低（p < 0.05）。未报告与VR相关的副作用。
在儿科过敏诊所，虚拟现实可以成为一种有效的工具，用于减轻皮肤点刺试验期间的疼痛和恐惧。通过提高孩子的舒适度，VR还可能改善对过敏随访和治疗的依从性，最终有助于获得更好的临床结果。
• 在皮肤点刺试验等侵入性程序中，儿童经常会经历显著的疼痛和恐惧，且分散注意力的方法已被证明可以减轻疼痛和焦虑。
• 本研究是第一项随机对照试验，证明虚拟现实（VR）能显著减轻儿童皮肤点刺试验期间的疼痛和恐惧。• 本研究支持将VR等新技术整合为儿科过敏诊所管理皮肤点刺试验期间疼痛和恐惧的标准做法。
临床试验注册号为NCT06421779。研究开始日期：2024年3月22日。研究完成日期：2024年7月22日。（https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06421779）
