Virtual Reality for IMMunisation (VRIMM) pain in young children: Results of a randomised controlled trial in general practice.

Background And Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) may be useful for reducing needle-based pain and distress. Our objective was to compare VR against standard care for children undergoing routine four-year-old immunisations.

Method: This was a randomised controlled superiority trial conducted in a single suburban general practice, comparing a VR sequence of an interactive marine adventure to standard care (parental comfort, distraction of child).

The VRIMM study: Virtual Reality for IMMunisation pain in young children-protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Pain caused by routine immunisations is distressing to children, their parents and those administering injections. If poorly managed, it can lead to anxiety about future medical procedures, needle phobia and avoidance of future vaccinations and other medical treatment. Several strategies, such as distraction, are used to manage the distress associated with routine immunisations.