Virtual reality use in pediatric patients for orthopedic clinical procedures: A randomized prospective trial of efficacy.
OrthoEvidence Journal (OE Journal) - ACE Report
OE Journal. 2025;13(1):42 J Child Orthop. 2024 May 26;18(4):414–420.What this means for my practice?
Virtual reality distraction therapy significantly reduces physiological stress, as measured by heart rate, during pediatric orthopedic procedures. This intervention is a promising alternative to standard care for managing pain and anxiety in this population. However, larger studies are needed to confirm its effects on subjective outcomes like pain and anxiety. The study's generalizability is limited due to its sample size and procedure-specific findings.
Study Summary
Ninety-five pediatric patients aged 5–17 years undergoing orthopedic procedures were randomized to receive either virtual reality (VR) distraction therapy (n=48) or standard care (n=47). The primary outcome was the change in maximum heart rate during the procedure compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes included pain measured by the Wong Baker FACES Rating Scale and anxiety measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Outcomes were assessed during the procedure and immediately after. Overall, the study revealed that the VR group had significantly lower heart rate changes and trends toward reduced pain and anxiety scores, though these secondary outcomes were not statistically significant. The findings suggest VR is a promising tool to mitigate anxiety and pain in pediatric orthopedic settings.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics
Or upgrade today and gain access to all OrthoEvidencecontent for as little as $1.99 per week.
Already have an account? Log in
Are you affiliated with one of our partner associations?
Click here to gain complimentary access as part your association member benefits!
0 of 4 monthly FREE articles unlocked
