Optimizing Coping during Venipuncture Procedures with Virtual Reality in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Virtual reality (VR) is a novel tool that is reported to reduce children’s pain and anxiety during medical procedures. However, prior studies only measured subjective pain and anxiety and did not include objective outcomes on coping or examine its effect on caregiver distress. Addressing these limitations would develop the growing literature on the beneficial effects of VR during pediatric procedures. The primary objective was to determine whether engagement with VR improves child and caregiver coping during venipuncture procedures in the PED. Secondarily, this study evaluated effects of engagement with VR on pain and anxiety, as well as …