The effect of watching videos using virtual reality during operating room transfer on the fear andanxiety of children aged 6–12 undergoing inguinal hernia surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background Being in a hospital and undergoing a surgical intervention are very stressful for the children and their parents. It is critical to keep the pain, fear and anxiety of children at a minimum level during this period in order to have a better process. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of watching videos using virtual reality on fear and anxiety of children aged 6–12 years old during operating room transfer for inguinal hernia surgery. Methods This prospective and randomized controlled study used parallel trial design guided by the CONSORT checklist. The study was conducted with two groups: the group that watch videos using virtual reality group and the control group. Data were collected using follow-up forms; the Children's State Anxiety Scale and the Children's Fear Scale. Results Children in the virtual realty group had lower anxiety and fear scores than the children in the control group (p < 0.05). Evaluation of the in-group measurements demonstrated that the fear and anxiety scores of the children in the virtual reality group decreased after the transfer compared to that of the pre-transfer, while the children in the control group experienced higher fear and anxiety scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion Virtual reality is an effective method to reduce fear and anxiety in children aged 6–12 years old during their transfer to the operating room. Implications for practice Evidence-based protocol and guidelines should be developed for nonpharmacological methods such as virtual reality for procedural fear and anxiety in children.