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Michael Chang, Alicia Fernandes, Alexandra Frankel, 8 Positive Distraction Entertainment System (PDES) in Paediatric Population Undergoing Day Surgery, Paediatrics & Child Health, Volume 25, Issue Supplement_2, August 2020, Page e3, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxaa068.007
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Abstract
Patients undergoing procedures at hospitals may experience anxiety and such anxiety can be heightened in pediatric populations. Anxiety can invoke a physical and mental stress response leading to poorer health outcomes and in children these outcomes include: resistance to treatment, nightmares, longer recovery periods, lowered pain thresholds and separation anxiety (Biddis, 2014; Manyande 2015; Aydın 2017).
This study aimed to test whether a virtual reality intervention is feasible, beneficial and effective in reducing anxiety prior to surgery in the pediatric population of Scarborough Health Network.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer technology that simulates a user’s physical presence in a virtual or imaginary environment. ‘Bubble Bloom’, an underwater fishing game where participants launch bubbles to catch colourful fish, is the VR game that the children are administered in a two phased research design to explore whether the VR intervention was a beneficial tool in reducing anxiety in our pediatric population. Phase 1 was a trial phase in which participants (n=20) were administered the condensed version of the State Trait Anxiety Scale before and after the intervention to determine if anxiety levels had been reduced. Participants were also administered an experience survey to explore patient satisfaction, headset comfort, and virtual reality satisfaction.
Phase 2, randomized control trial, is currently ongoing with the same measures and VR intervention being administered. In Phase 2, participants are randomized to the control group (regular play activities) or intervention (virtual reality game).
In Phase 1, all participants indicated they enjoyed the experience of the virtual reality intervention. Sixteen of the 20 participants had pre scores that were in the mild to moderate anxiety range (80%). Of these 16 participants, 10 participants’ post scores decreased to the normal or no anxiety range (63%). Additionally, 80% of participants demonstrated a reduction in anxiety post-virtual reality intervention.
Phase 1 results were encouraging with 80% of participants experiencing a reduction in anxiety and all participants enjoying the virtual reality experience.
