Virtual reality to offset fear of peripheral intravenous line placement

Extract:

“The process of establishing vascular access, whether accessing an implanted port, placing a peripherally inserted central catheter, or placing a peripheral intravenous line, can cause both pain and anxiety for hospitalized patients. The Respiratory Institute and Oncology unit at Saint Joseph Hospital has an average daily census of seven patients with cystic fibrosis and ten oncology patients. Both patient populations can be vulnerable to experiencing anxiety symptoms. Studies have found prevalence rates of anxiety ranging from 30% to 33% in adults with cystic fibrosis (Quittner et al., 2015). Fear of medical procedures can result in acute stress or avoidance, which can have negative health consequences for these patients. Data collected by the Cancer Support Community’s patient experience survey found that one half of participants were at risk of clinically significant anxiety (Cancer Support Community, 2020). Virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in a three-dimensional environment, typically via a head-mounted display, has been reported to decrease pain and anxiety during invasive procedures (Indovina et al., 2018). It therefore can be an effective nurse-driven tool to support patients and non-pharmacologically decrease pain and anxiety.”