Virtual Reality vs. Standard-of-Care for Comfort During Laceration Repair

A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of Virtual Reality vs. Standard-of-Care for Comfort During Laceration Repair

Lacerations are a common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department and children needing laceration repair with sutures are experiencing pain and anxiety.

Virtual Reality (VR) is an immersive experience using sight, sound, and position sense. Using VR may enhance distraction during the painful procedure and may reduce attention to pain.

This study will randomize children (6 - 16 years old) to receive Virtual Reality or standard of care in addition to pharmacoanalgesia during a laceration repair procedure. Investigators will measure pain, anxiety, satisfaction, amount of analgesia and the length of procedure and compare between the two groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children age 6 - <17 years
• Arriving to the Emergency Department with a chief complaint of laceration
• The managing physician determines need for repair with suture
• Parents will sign a consent form and children will sign an assent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with conditions that may prohibit participation or evaluation of the procedure (such as developmental delay)
• Triage category 1 (resuscitation)
• Facial features or injury prohibiting wearing VR goggles