Effects of distraction using virtual reality glasses during lumbar punctures in adolescents with cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of virtual reality (VR) glasses on adolescents with cancer undergoing lumbar punctures (LPs). DESIGN Pilot study using an experimental, control group design. SETTING In-hospital oncology clinic. SAMPLE 30 adolescents with cancer (17 in the VR and 13 in the control group) undergoing frequent LPs. METHODS Subjects were randomly assigned to groups. Both groups received standard intervention during the LP, but the experimental group also wore VR glasses and watched a video. Following the LP, both groups rated their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) and were interviewed to evaluate their experience. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Pain, subjective evaluation of experience. FINDINGS Although VAS pain scores were not statistically different between the two groups (p = 0.77), VAS scores tended to be lower in the VR group (median VAS of 7.0, range 0-48) than in the control group (median VAS of 9.0, range 0-59). 77% of subjects in the experimental group said the VR glasses helped to distract them from the LP. CONCLUSIONS VR glasses are a feasible, age-appropriate, nonpharmacologic adjunct to conventional care in managing the pain associated with LPs in adolescents. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The clinical application of various age-appropriate distracters to reduce pain in adolescents undergoing painful procedures should be explored.