Virtual reality as a pain distractor during physical rehabilitation in pediatric burns

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of adding Virtual reality (VR) to conventional burn rehabilitation program on pain and range of motion (ROM) in children with burn injuries during rehabilitation sessions after burn.

Methods: Twenty-two pediatric children (13 boys & 9 girls) with burn injuries and inpatient hospitalization participated in this study. Their age ranged from 9 to 16 years old with 2nd degree deep partial thickness burn of TBSA (10%-25%). They were randomly classified into study and control groups of equal numbers; control group receive passive ROM and stretch exercises, and study group receive the same treatment of the control group in addition to VR training. children in the study group wear the Oculus Rift DK2 as a means for VR and they allowed to choose the favorite video they would like to view before starting the study. The children feel like they are actually in a game. The pain was measured using VAS and the maximum range-of-motion of the joints using electronic digital goniometer before and immediately after the rehabilitation session.

Results: There was a significant decrease in pain intensity and increase of ROM after application of VR in the study group and a significant difference between groups after treatment for pain and ROM p < 0.05.

Conclusion: Based on the current findings adding VR to the rehabilitation program of pediatric burn victims had an immediate effect on decreasing pain and increase ROM.

Keywords: Pain; Pediatric burn; Range of motion; Virtual reality.