Pain Manag Nurs. 2026 Mar 26:S1524-9042(26)00095-0. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2026.03.001. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Children in the hospital experience fear, anxiety, and pain due to needle-related procedures. Non-pharmacological distraction techniques are effective in alleviating these negative experiences.
AIM: To evaluate the effects of virtual reality and bubble play on pain, fear, anxiety, procedure, and crying time during peripheral intravenous catheterization in children aged 6-12 years.
METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with children aged 6-12 years (n: 105) who were treated in a children’s hospital and underwent peripheral intravenous catheterization. Participants were divided into three groups as virtual reality, bubble play and control group. The study data were collected using the Children’s Anxiety Scale, Children’s Fear Scale and Visual Analogue Scales. Data were analyzed using number, percentage, chi-square and correlation test. Bonferroni correction was used in the analysis of anxiety, pain and fear scores of the groups.
RESULTS: It was determined that children in the bubble play group and virtual reality group had less fear after the procedure and virtual reality was the most effective method that significantly reduced the pain (p = .019) and anxiety (p = .000) levels of children. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of total catheterization (p = .000) and total crying time (p = .000).
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The non-pharmacological management of pain, fear, and anxiety during painful experiences in pediatric patients is an effective nursing practice. Virtual reality or bubble play interventions are initiatives that can be easily integrated into nursing practices. It is important to raise nurses’ awareness regarding the use of these beneficial interventions.
CONCLUSION: Virtual reality is an effective method to reduce procedural pain, fear and anxiety during peripheral intravenous catheterization procedure in children aged 6-12 years.
PMID:41896139 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.03.001
