Virtual Reality for Procedural Pain During IV Cannulation in Children

This study evaluates whether virtual reality (VR)-based distraction can reduce pain during intravenous cannulation and venous blood sampling in children treated in a pediatric emergency department. Children aged 6-11 years who required these procedures received either standard care or VR distraction using age-appropriate audiovisual content. The primary outcome was procedure-related pain measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included procedural duration, cooperation, first-attempt success, behavioral distress, and parental satisfaction. The study also explored whether the effectiveness of VR was associated with patient engagement during the procedure.