Effect of fully immersive virtual reality on daily pain, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life in pediatric sickle cell disease: a single-blinded randomized clinical trial.
Afnan Ahmed Hassan Bakri, Maha F Algabbani, Ahmed Farrag et al.
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In 30 seconds
This single-blinded randomized controlled trial evaluated adjunctive fully immersive virtual reality (VR) in 40 children aged 8–18 years with sickle cell disease. Participants received VR plus usual care or usual care alone; the VR group completed six 40-minute sessions over three weeks. Over five weeks, the VR group had significantly greater improvements in pain, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life than controls. Reported effect sizes were η² = 0.28 for pain, η² = 0.18 for mobility, and η² = 0.08–0.68 for quality of life (all p < 0.001). VR was reported as safe and well-tolerated.
Key findings
- Pain improved more with VR plus usual care than with usual care alone (η² = 0.28, p < 0.001).
- Functional mobility improved more in the VR group (η² = 0.18, p < 0.001).
- Health-related quality of life improved in the VR group, with reported η² values of 0.08–0.68 (p < 0.001).
- The intervention was reported as safe and well-tolerated.
Why it matters
Pain, mobility, and quality of life are relevant outcomes for children living with sickle cell disease. This trial suggests immersive VR may offer a non-pharmacological adjunct associated with improvement across all three domains, while also being feasible and well-tolerated in the study. The findings add controlled evidence to an area the authors describe as underexplored.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 40 children, and outcomes were assessed over five weeks; longer-term effects are not reported in the abstract.