Effects of Virtual Reality on Perioperative Pediatric Anxiety

Effects of Virtual Reality on Perioperative Pediatric Anxiety

This study evaluates the effect of virtual reality on anxiety levels in a pediatric surgical population. Half of participants will receive standard perioperative treatment, while the other half will receive additionally a virtual reality local program.

It is well known that there is a high incidence of significant anxiety in pediatric population perioperatively, with adverse side effects in terms of emergence delirium and maladaptive postoperative behaviors. Many different strategies have been designed in order to minimize these negative consequences.

Virtual reality is a new and simple technology that can be used at young ages. The aim of this study is to measure anxiety levels at different times in children scheduled for ambulatory surgery compared to patients with standard care without virtual reality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child between 4 and 12 years old
• Elective ambulatory surgery
• Parents posses a smart phone
• Child and parents understand Spanish or Catalan
• Patient information has been explained
• Informed Consent is signed
• Surgery scheduled in the morning

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child has hearing impairment
• Child has visual impairment
• Child has previous experience of anesthesia
• American Society os Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of III or greater
• Children with history of seizures
• Children under psychiatric treatment