The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Software on Improvement of Blood-Injection Phobia in Children and Adolescents

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Computer, School of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Student of Medicine, Student Research, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Blood-injection phobia is a chronic and debilitating disorder in children and adolescents which can be associated with anxiety avoidance of many essential treatments. Although there are some current recommended treatments for blood-injection phobia, little evidence is available on the virtual reality therapy. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality therapy on blood-injection phobia among children and adolescents.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 31 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years with the diagnosis of blood-injection phobia were investigated. All children received 12 sessions of working with virtual reality software. The children's anxiety level was assessed using Spielberger and specific symptoms of blood-injection phobia questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Findings: After working with the software, the mean scores of state, trait, and state-trait anxiety and also blood-injection phobia in children were significantly lower than their levels before working with the software (P < 0.050 for all). There was a direct and significant correlation between age and the degree of reduction of situational anxiety (r = +0.60, P < 0.001).Conclusion: Virtual reality therapy can effectively reduce state, trait, and state-trait anxiety and also blood-injection phobia in children and adolescents. However, further studies are required to determine the best version of virtual reality software for blood-injection phobia.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 36, Issue 468 - Serial Number 468
January and February 2018
Pages 111-117

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 September 2017
  • Revise Date: 01 June 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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