The Effect of Virtual Reality Application on Pain in Port Catheter Access in Pediatric Oncology Patients: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Year 2025,

Ayçin Ezgi Önel , Tuba Gıynaş , Sevgim Küçük Ulak , Hatice Bal Yılmaz

https://doi.org/10.17049/jnursology.1467445

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the impact of virtual reality (VR) on pain levels during port catheter access in children aged 4-19 years. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effects of VR on pain catastrophizing, fear, anxiety/distress levels, and heart rates.

Methods: This descriptive systematic review includes studies from databases like PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and others, using keywords such as "oncology," "leukemia," "virtual reality," "pain," "children," and "pediatric." Nine studies were selected based on the PICOS criteria, with a sample of 544 children. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the data were synthesized using a narrative synthesis method.

Results: The studies showed that VR applications significantly reduce pain during port catheter access compared to standard care and other distraction techniques. Additionally, VR effectively reduces pain catastrophizing, fear, anxiety, distress, and heart rates. The application was found to be both effective and safe in managing pain for pediatric oncology patients.

Conclusion: The evidence quality from the included studies ranges from moderate to strong. While the results are promising, further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of VR on pain management and psychological factors in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023441761).

Keywords

Child, Virtual reality, Oncology nursing, Pain

Project Number

NO

Pediatrik Onkoloji Hastalarında Port Kateter Erişiminde Sanal Gerçeklik Uygulamasının Ağrı Üzerine Etkisi: Sistematik Derleme ve Anlatı Sentezi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın birincil amacı, 4- 19 yaş arası çocuklarda port kateter erişimi sırasında sanal gerçeklik (SG) uygulamasının ağrı düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisini belirlemektir. İkincil amaç ise SG uygulamasının çocukların ağrı felaketleştirme davranışı, korku, anksiyete/stres düzeyleri ve kalp atış hızları üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmektir.

Yöntemler: Bu tanımlayıcı sistematik derlemenin kapsamını PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key, Ulakbim, Web of Science, CINAHL ve OVID veri tabanlarından “onkoloji”, “lösemi”, “sanal gerçeklik”, “ağrı”, “çocuk”, “çocuklar”, “ergen”, “pediatrik” ve “hemşire” anahtar kelimeleri kullanılarak erişilen çalışmalar oluşturmaktadır. Sistematik derlemenin örneklemi, tarama süreciyle PICOS kriterlerine göre seçilen 9 çalışmadan oluşmaktadır. Bu sistematik derleme PROSPERO veri tabanına (CRD42023441761) bir protokol ile kaydedilmiştir ve PRISMA akış şeması adımları kullanılarak yürütülmüştür. Çalışmalardan elde edilen verileri sentezlemek için anlatı sentezi yöntemi kullanılmıştır.

Bulgular: Dokuz çalışmaya 4-19 yaş arası toplam 544 çocuk dahil edilmiştir. Port kateter erişimi sırasında SG uygulamalarının ağrı üzerindeki etkilerini standart bakım ve farklı dikkat dağıtma teknikleriyle karşılaştıran çalışmalar, SG uygulamasının pediatrik onkoloji hastalarında bu işlem sırasında ağrıyı azaltmak için etkili ve güvenli bir yöntem olduğu sonucuna varmıştır. Ayrıca, SG uygulamasının ağrı felaketleştirme davranışını, korkuyu, anksiyete/stres düzeylerini ve kalp atış hızlarını azaltmada etkili olduğu görülmüştür.

Sonuç: Çalışmalardaki kanıt kalitesi orta ile güçlü arasında değişmektedir. Port kateter girişi sırasında SG uygulamalarının ağrı üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmak için daha fazla araştırma yapılması gerekmektedir ve bu alanda daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç olduğunu göstermektedir. Ek araştırmalar, Sanal Gerçekliğin kemoterapi gören kanser hastaları üzerindeki etkilerine ilişkin belirsizliği azaltmak için önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Bu çalışma PROSPERO'ya CRD42023441761 olarak kayıtlıdır.

Keywords

Çocuk, Sanal gerçeklik, Onkoloji hemşireliği, Ağrı

Ethical Statement

This study is a systematic review and is based on studies published in the literature with references cited. Therefore, approval from any institution or individual and ethics committee is not required. Our study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki Principles.

Supporting Institution

NO

Project Number

NO

Thanks

NO

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