Virtual Reality (VR) Technologies Are Very Promising for Relieving Pain and Anxiety in Children – Xinhua



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SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) – Only one in five children needs additional painkillers to relieve anxiety and postoperative pain after administering a virtual reality (VR) therapy inducing a hypnotic state that keeping them calm and preserved relaxed, studies published Sunday showed.

Two studies were published at an annual medical conference of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) currently underway in downtown San Francisco from October 13 to 17.

One study showed that virtual reality hypnosis reduced anxiety, total postoperative opioid use, and vomiting in children following scoliosis surgery.

Of the 21 children who participated in the study, scientists applied the HRT treatment to 10 of them after surgery, while the remaining 11 children were placed in a control group without the support of VRH.

During the first 72 hours after surgery, each child treated with VRH was treated for 20 minutes in one session per day, then each of them, wearing a helmet and goggles associated with software, was immersed in RV-induced hypnosis, which helped reduce stress and anxiety after painful medical procedures.

The results of the experiment indicated that only 20% of the children in the VRH group needed intravenous morphine (IV) to relieve surgical pain, while 62.5% of the people who did not receive VRH treatment needed additional drugs.

"Morphine is associated with a sedative effect that can prevent patients from eating and walking earlier," said Girish Joshi, co-author of the study, professor of anesthesiology and management of the pain at the Southwestern Medical School of the University of Texas, Dallas.

"The significant reduction in the use of morphine observed in patients treated with VRH means that they can recover faster," said the professor.

Joshi said their research was the first study to evaluate the use of postoperative HRV in children, which was aimed at reducing both the pain and the amount of opioids consumed.

The second study was led by co-author Thomas Caruso, an associate clinical professor of anesthesiology, perioperative medicine and pain management at Stanford University in northern California.

The study, which was conducted on 600 patients aged 6 to 18, suggests that a new virtual reality game that children are allowed to play can adjust in real time the amount of cognitive information such as music and the color of the room and redirect its effects. displays when the child changes position during medical procedures, thus reducing his anxiety and perception of pain.

Launched in 2017, research enrolled in Stanford's program on reducing anxiety in children through innovation and technology (TROLLEY), designed to use reality technology virtual to distract patients during periods of high anxiety, such as setting up an intravenous drip, a blood test or a change of dressing.

Virtual reality gaming with real-time position change functions can distract anxiety that may occur before and during minor medical procedures, such as intravenous placement, wound treatment, or nasal seizures. endoscopy.

"Preliminary results suggest that our new virtual reality game decreases anxiety and patients' pain perception," Caruso said.

The researchers said their studies indicate that VR technology can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment that can safely distract patients during medical procedures in different clinical settings.

Founded in 1905, ASA is an educational, scientific and research society with more than 52,000 members committed to maintaining the standards of medical practice in anesthesiology.

The current annual conference is an event that aims to bring research and technology closer to patient care, while facilitating face-to-face collaboration with more than 14,000 peers, opinion leaders and anesthesia providers. from more than 80 countries.

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