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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on September 28, 2009
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsp082
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Effects of Videogame Distraction and a Virtual Reality Type Head-Mounted Display Helmet on Cold Pressor Pain in Young Elementary School-Aged Children

Lynnda M Dahlquist, PhD, Karen E Weiss, PhD, Emily F Law, MA, Soumitri Sil, MA, Linda Jones Herbert, MA, Susan Berrin Horn, MA, Karen Wohlheiter, MA and Claire Sonntag Ackerman, PhD

Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Lynnda M. Dahlquist, PHD, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. E-mail: dahlquis{at}umbc.edu


  Abstract

Objective This study examined the effects of videogame distraction and a virtual reality (VR) type head-mounted display helmet for children undergoing cold pressor pain. Methods Fifty children between the ages of 6 and 10 years underwent a baseline cold pressor trial followed by two cold pressor trials in which interactive videogame distraction was delivered via a VR helmet or without a VR helmet in counterbalanced order. Results As expected, children demonstrated significant improvements in pain threshold and pain tolerance during both distraction conditions. However, the two distraction conditions did not differ in effectiveness. Conclusions Using the VR helmet did not result in improved pain tolerance over and above the effects of interactive videogame distraction without VR technology. Clinical implications and possible developmental differences in elementary school-aged children's ability to use VR technology are discussed.

Key words: Acute pain; children; distraction; virtual reality technology..

Received April 7, 2009; revision received August 7, 2009; accepted August 17, 2009


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