Effect of Virtual Reality on Distraction of Children Attention during Dressing of Second Degree Burns

Sharshor, Sabah Mohamed; Shoukr, Tarek Gamal; Mohamed, Hend Elzoghpy Abdelrahman; Elsharkawy, Mai Hassan Hassan

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2023.319705

Effect of Virtual Reality on Distraction of Children Attention during Dressing of Second Degree Burns

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assist. Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

² Prof. of Plastic & Reconstructive surgery Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery department, Faculty of medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.

³ Teacher at Biala Secondary Nursing School for Boys at KafrElshiekh Governorate

⁴ Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

10.21608/tsnj.2023.319705

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescent with serious burns require nursing and medical care to
alleviate pain. As a non-pharmacological adjuvant analgesic used to divert children's attention,
virtual reality (VR) has gained popularity. The study aimed to evaluate effect of virtual reality
on distraction of children attention during dressing of second-degree burns. Subjects and
method: Purposive Sampling of 50 children with second degree of burn participated in the study.
The study was conducted at Pediatric Burn Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
department of Tanta University. Four tools were used to gather data: burn wound assessment,
children behavioral distress observational check list, pain assessment tool, and physiological
measurement sheet. Results: The study cleared that there were statistically significant
differences in pain attention, behavioral distress and improving physiological parameters for
children with second degree burn during dressing change using virtual reality distraction in study
group than control group. Conclusion: Virtual reality as distraction technique appeared to be
effective in reducing pain attention, behavioral distress and enhancing physiological parameters
during dressing change in children with second degree burn. Recommendation: Creating
periodic in-service educational program for all nurses working in the burn unit to learn about the
use of virtual reality to lessen the pain associated with burn dressing.