Keywords
Pediatric Patients
Pain Management
Anxiety
Non-Pharmacological Interventions
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. Anxiety and pain are common in pediatric patients undergoing healthcare procedures, with potential short- and long-term consequences. Virtual reality (VR), including immersive and non-immersive modalities, is increasingly used as a non-pharmacological intervention; however, the available evidence is heterogeneous and fragmented.
Objective. This scoping review aims to systematically map the characteristics, contexts, and reported outcomes of VR interventions for the management of anxiety and pain in pediatric healthcare settings.
Inclusion criteria. This review will consider studies involving pediatric populations (0–18 years) exposed to VR interventions (immersive, semi-immersive, or non-immersive) for anxiety and/or pain management in healthcare contexts.
Methods. This protocol follows the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley framework, refined by Levac et al. A comprehensive search will be conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science, along with grey literature sources. Two independent reviewers will perform study selection and data charting using a standardized extraction form. Extracted data will include study characteristics, population details, VR type and devices, clinical settings, intervention features, and outcomes.
Data synthesis. Results will be synthesized descriptively using tables and figures to map the evidence. A narrative synthesis will be conducted to summarize key findings, identify patterns across VR modalities, populations, and settings, and highlight knowledge gaps. Where appropriate, findings will be stratified by age group, type of VR intervention, and clinical context.
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