The applications of Virtual Reality far exceed the gaming world as Griffith University researchers investigate its benefits for pediatric burns pain management at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Professor Bronwyn Griffin from Griffith’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has been testing the efficacy of Smileyscope in reducing pain and anxiety during dressing changes.
“Acute burn dressing changes can be quite painful and distressing for pediatric patients with the added issue that increased burn pain can delay wound healing and have a long-term physical and psychological impact on the patient,” Professor Griffin said.
“With this in mind, it’s imperative we look at solutions such as Smileyscope VR so as not to delay wound healing and also recognising the importance of taking a multimodal approach to pain and anxiety.
“It’s essentially a headset VR uses as a distraction technique with games or relaxation programs designed specifically for children.
“We found Smileyscope effectively reduces pain and anxiety during a dress change, and has a high satisfaction from patients, and also the parents.
“Clinicians found it easy to use, with the added benefit that some patients only required minimal analgesia while using Smileyscope with some needing no additional pain medication.”
Kristen Storey, Burns Nurse Practitioner at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, said harnessing innovation such as VR was helping ease the burden of painful treatment for children with burn injuries.
“Each year, we care for more than 1,000 children and young people with burn injuries in the Pegg Leditschke Children’s Burns Centre, and we know how distressing treatment can be, not just for the child but for their family too,” Ms Storey said.
“Virtual reality is proving to be a powerful tool in providing distraction during painful procedures.
“By immersing young patients in calming, engaging environments, VR can help reduce pain, anxiety and distress during treatment.
“We’re proud to partner with Griffith University to turn innovative research into real-world care improving the hospital experience and long-term health outcomes for children and young people.”
Smileyscope shows promise with pediatric burns pain management as a non-pharmacological approach to improving burn pain and distress.
“This can be an extremely distressing time for our patients and it’s a relief to see a simple VR headset can have such an impact during what can be a painful process,” Professor Griffin said.
“Further development is needed to enhance the fit and programme content for diverse age groups.”
The Smileyscope study was carried out in a clinical setting where the average patient was seven years of age.
Fifty per cent of the cohort had sustained contact burns and scald burns as the mechanisms of injury with superficial partial thickness burns being the most common depth of injury.
The paper ‘Acceptability and usability of Smileyscope Virtual Reality for pediatric pain management during burn procedures: Perspectives of patients, carers and clinicians’ has been published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
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