Overview
Burns involving nervous system structures can lead to significant pain and functional impairment. Management focuses on pain control and promoting healing.Diagnosis
Management
Virtual reality (VR) games may be used as a distraction technique to manage pain during burn dressing changes in pediatric patients 1.
Active VR (playing a game) and passive VR (immersion in an environment) were compared to standard care for pain management 1.Special Populations
Pediatric patients aged 6 to 17 years with burns were included in a study evaluating VR for pain management 1.Key Recommendations
Smartphone-based virtual reality (VR) games can be used as an intervention to reduce pain during burn dressing changes in pediatric patients 1. (Evidence: Strong)
Both active and passive VR immersion can be utilized as distraction techniques compared to standard care for pain management in pediatric burn patients 1. (Evidence: Strong)References
1 Xiang H, Shen J, Wheeler KK, Patterson J, Lever K, Armstrong M et al.. Efficacy of Smartphone Active and Passive Virtual Reality Distraction vs Standard Care on Burn Pain Among Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA network open 2021. link