A Narrative Review: Transforming Pediatric Oncology Care Through Virtual Reality - Pain Management and Enhanced Patient Experience

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology has received considerable interest in the healthcare field, particularly in pediatric oncology. The purpose of this study was to examine the existing and future applications of VR in reducing the discomfort associated with pediatric oncology procedures such as bone marrow biopsy, bone marrow aspirate, and lumbar puncture. A comprehensive search was conducted across numerous databases from 2005 to 2023, embracing several study designs to provide a strong evidence foundation. Using diversion and relaxation strategies, VR can help pediatric cancer patients cope with the emotional issues they confront during operations. VR has shown significant potential for lowering pain and anxiety during several pediatric medical procedures. Patient feedback focused on VR’s empowering and anxiety-reducing benefits, while healthcare staff reported increased patient participation and procedural efficiency. VR implementation challenges include the cost of specialized technology, the need for specific virtual settings, and the need for training healthcare workers. VR shows promise in improving the pediatric cancer experience, but more study and cooperation are required to realize its full potential.

Keywords

• virtual reality
• bone marrow biopsy
• bone marrow aspiration
• lumbar puncture