Advanced search
Publication Cover
Psychology & Health Volume 20, 2005 - Issue 6
Submit an article Journal homepage
1,730
Views
109
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Effectiveness of virtual reality distraction during a painful medical procedure in pediatric oncology patients

Kate Wolitzky Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A8000, Austin, TX 78751
,
Robyn Fivush Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
,
Elana Zimand Virtually Better, Inc., 2450 Lawrenceville Highway Suite 101 Decatur, GA 30033
,
Larry Hodges Department of Computer Science, College of Information Technology, University of North Carolina, 9201 University City Blud Charlotte, NC 28223
&
Barbara Olasov Rothbaum PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Emory Clinic, 1365 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322Correspondence[email protected]
Pages 817-824 | Received 29 Apr 2004, Accepted 25 Mar 2005, Published online: 01 Feb 2007
 
Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days

Abstract

The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a behavioral intervention designed to decrease distress during port access procedure was examined in 20 7- to 14-year-old pediatric oncology patients. Children were randomized to either engage in an immersive VR environment during the procedure or to a no VR control condition. Children's distress was assessed through subjective self-ratings and objective physiological and behavioral ratings. Narrative accounts of the experience were used as a measure of how well the child coped with the procedure. VR was effective in reducing children's distress on all measures. Implications of these findings for intervention are discussed.

Log in via your institution

Access through your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

Restore content access

Restore content access for purchases made as guest
Purchase options * Save for later

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 53.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 458.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.