The Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain Management in Children in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

J Emerg NursApr 16, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchEmergency MedicinePediatrics

Pelin Karataş, Çiğdem Gök

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of virtual reality on pain and anxiety management in children aged 2-17 undergoing medical procedures in emergency departments. The analysis included nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 934 children. Virtual reality interventions significantly reduced self-, parent-, and observer-reported pain compared to standard care.

Key findings

  • Virtual reality significantly reduced self-reported pain compared to control groups.
  • Parent and observer ratings indicated a decrease in anxiety levels with virtual reality.
  • Self-reported anxiety showed minimal change during the interventions.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that virtual reality can be an effective tool for managing pain and anxiety in pediatric emergency care, potentially improving the overall experience for children undergoing medical procedures.

Source

PubMed · PMID 41989362

Published in J Emerg Nurs. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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