Virtual Reality for management of needle phobia in General Practice

SECTOR UPDATE - oVRcome

The uptake of virtual reality technology in clinical settings has increased over the last few years and its clinical application is vast. VR continues to evolve with better quality graphics, more customised headsets, and lower costs to ownership. 

As a result, it has become more available to patients/ end-users. One such clinical application is to use it as a distraction tool especially during medical procedures which are commonly perceived as unpleasant.

Trypanophobia (needle phobia) is common amongst general public and exposure to needles is highly prevalent, particularly during the roll-out of vaccines to combat a global pandemic. 

A pilot study looks at the rationale and feasibility of a HMD VR system as a clinical tool to abate fear of needles and pain levels before and after a vaccination in General Practice.

The study involves a selected group of patients from General Practice who rate their fear and pain levels before vaccination using a well-validated pain/ fear scoring system. Those under the age of 18 will be consented through their parents/ guardians. Patients who have claustrophobia are excluded in this study. 

The Head Mounted Display VR system contains The Distraction App which is created by the company, oVRcome, and consists of animated 3-dimensional video clips of calming sceneries of New Zealand. The patient  is given a VR headset to wear while a vaccination is undertaken. 

The pain/ fear score will again be recorded post-procedure. Other information regarding their experiences of using this technology will also be recorded for further analysis.

Despite a small number of patients, this pilot study has proven that the use of HMD VR technology for management of trypanophobia is promising in General practice. There is a wider scope for the use of this technology alongside other medical procedures or in hospital settings.

Source: oVRcome media release

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