Virtual Reality as an Adjuvant Therapy for Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the most common complaint in patients with sickle cell disease presenting to the emergency room. VOC is most commonly treated with opioids and NSAIDs. However, new research is demonstrating that opioids in addition to virtual reality (VR) is more effective at reducing the experience of pain and pain nerve signals compared to opioids alone. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that VR reduces the experience of pain during painful medical procedures in children, such as venipuncture and burn wound dressing changes. The study aims to add VR to standard of care medical treatment for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease who present to the pediatric emergency department in VOC. Investigators will conduct a retrospective chart review of patients aged 6 to 21 years with sickle cell disease who present to the pediatric emergency department with VOC for the historical control arm. Investigators will also conduct a prospective convenient sampling of patient who receive VR plus standard medical care in patients aged 6 to 21years with sickle cell disease who present to the emergency department with VOC. Investigators hypothesize that VR, in addition to standard medical care, will reduce the experience of pain and hospital admissions compared to the historical control group (standard medical treatment).