Virtual reality mitigates pain during medical procedures Original paper

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, the use of immersive virtual reality technology reduced pain and anxiety in adults and children who were undergoing a medical procedure.

The effect of immersive virtual reality (VR) technology on pain immediately after or within 1 hour of a medical procedure (primary outcome).

The secondary outcome was anxiety.

A total of 6,130 participants, including adults and children.

A meta-analysis of 83 randomized controlled trials was performed. Most trials were conducted in the United States (22 trials), followed by Turkey (19 trials), China (7 trials), and Canada and Australia (6 trials each). The types of medical procedures included venipuncture (for blood collection or intravenous therapy), minimally invasive medical procedures, dressing changes in burn victims, and childbirth-related procedures. The types of VR technology included both interactive and noninteractive experiences (such as games and videos) hosted on a variety of devices (such as personal computers, VR headsets, VR glasses, and smartphones).

The use of immersive VR technology reduced pain and anxiety. In subgroup analyses, the effects were statistically significant in both children and adults and across different types of medical procedures.

The overall methodological quality of the trials included in the meta-analysis was moderate.