Visiting the virtual world can reduce fear states - doctoral researcher finds out whether the use of VR glasses eases children’s fear of spikes

Virtual technology is being sought to alleviate children’s fear of injections. According to the researcher, the technology can also be applied to help children and young people suffering from intestinal diseases, for example.

With the help of the exercise, the child’s attention is drawn to something other than the ongoing procedure.

– Primarily, we want information on whether the method can ease children’s fear, tension and pain in connection with various injection situations.

Blonde-haired doctoral researcher Elina Karppa, dressed in a black T-shirt with white spots, holds white virtual glasses in her hands. In the background, wallpaper with animal patterns and a baby mobile. — Elina Karppa is doing doctoral research at the University of Tampere. In addition to Tampere, research is carried out in Lahti.

The research is conducted in groups of 8–12 year olds at Tampere University Hospital and Päijät-Häme Central Hospital.

The goal is to get not only experiential but also measurement-verified information about the effects. Verbal questionnaires are given to research patients. Physiological reactions are monitored, for example, by measurements of heart rate variability.

Prevention of fear of injections is important

According to Elina Karpa, there are many reasons for children’s fear of injections. Even one bad experience can create a fear of injections.

An adult may also transfer their own tension to the child.

– Injections are thought to be painful, and often they are. The situation can be exciting and distressing for both the child and the adult involved.

In the foreground of the picture is a laptop with a virtual landscape and a blue animated character wearing a tassel hat. In the background, a blond-haired child in a lying position with virtual glasses on his head, and next to him a blond woman (mother) is holding the child's hand. — With the help of VR glasses, you can look at the shore scenery of the lake by turning your head. There are other options available.

It would be important to prevent the emergence of fear of injections in advance.

For example, in dentistry, according to Karpa, there is already strong evidence that diverting attention, i.e. distraction, is an effective way to alleviate tension and pain.

Adaptability brings benefits

According to Elina Karpa, virtual technology can be applied more widely, for example in the treatment of children and young people suffering from anxiety and intestinal diseases.

– Virtual reality-enhanced technology is independent of time and place, usually children and young people find the applications easy to approach and they can be modified as needed.

The bespectacled, red T-shirt-wearing chief pediatrician of TASYS, Sauli Palmu. Blurred corridor view in the background. — Sauli Palmu, associate professor of pediatrics, is the chief physician of the Tays Children’s Clinic and is in charge of the Children’s Medical Research Center.

According to Sauli Palmu, the use of virtual applications is being studied, if they can bring both human benefits and financial savings.

The relaxation exercises included in the dissertation research have also been done in separate sensory rooms, inside which virtual landscapes are built. Compared to that, the use of virtual glasses has advantages.

– For example, a young person suffering from anxiety could learn relaxation exercises and do them independently when in a tight spot, and there would be no need for a separate instructor, he states.

*You can discuss the topic until Thursday 9 February 2023 at 11 pm.*