Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study
Abstract BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology holds significant potential for chronic pain management in children and adolescents by providing an alternative and complementary approach to traditional methods of alleviating pain and improving quality of life. Parents play...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e74082 |
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| _version_ | 1849228564049690624 |
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| author | Lindsay Sullivan Harrison Vriese Ellie Ferguson Megan Armstrong Hannah Williams Kathleen Lemanek Sharon Wrona Lauren Renner Lindsey Vater Henry Xiang |
| author_facet | Lindsay Sullivan Harrison Vriese Ellie Ferguson Megan Armstrong Hannah Williams Kathleen Lemanek Sharon Wrona Lauren Renner Lindsey Vater Henry Xiang |
| author_sort | Lindsay Sullivan |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology holds significant potential for chronic pain management in children and adolescents by providing an alternative and complementary approach to traditional methods of alleviating pain and improving quality of life. Parents play an important role in the successful adoption of VR technologies for children, influencing how children accept, use, and benefit from it. However, little is known about parents’ views on integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to better our understanding of parents’ perspectives regarding the integration of VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management—including barriers, facilitators, and recommendations for future VR technologies.
MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children with chronic pain between March and November 2024. Key aspects of the discussion centered on the acceptability, barriers, and enablers of integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis.
ResultsWe conducted 12 interviews. We identified four broad themes from the interview data: (1) views toward integrating VR technology into chronic pain management (perceived benefits, distraction, and redirection); (2) barriers to using VR technology for chronic pain management (accessibility, complexity, discomfort, and symptom exacerbation); (3) facilitators of integrating VR technology into chronic pain management (addressing financial barriers, integrating VR technology into clinical care, establishing evidence of effectiveness and showcasing positive patient experiences); and (4) recommendations for program content and features (relaxation and mindfulness, physical activity, customization, and social connection).
ConclusionsOur findings underscore the perceived benefits of integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management to enhance physical, social, and mental health and well-being. However, there are several potential challenges that need to be addressed to improve the accessibility of VR technology for use in pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management. Our findings yielded several practical suggestions to guide the development of effective and equitable VR technology for chronic pain management in children and adolescents. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2305b1fcd2a14606b73f54dfaa59d566 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-2305b1fcd2a14606b73f54dfaa59d5662025-08-22T21:01:14ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-08-0127e74082e7408210.2196/74082Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative StudyLindsay Sullivanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8079-0388Harrison Vriesehttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-1003-5233Ellie Fergusonhttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-6275-0531Megan Armstronghttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5412-4875Hannah Williamshttp://orcid.org/0009-0000-7905-835XKathleen Lemanekhttp://orcid.org/0009-0008-8058-8065Sharon Wronahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0539-2256Lauren Rennerhttp://orcid.org/0009-0005-5034-0809Lindsey Vaterhttp://orcid.org/0009-0008-8108-2146Henry Xianghttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8112-319X Abstract BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology holds significant potential for chronic pain management in children and adolescents by providing an alternative and complementary approach to traditional methods of alleviating pain and improving quality of life. Parents play an important role in the successful adoption of VR technologies for children, influencing how children accept, use, and benefit from it. However, little is known about parents’ views on integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management. ObjectiveThis study aimed to better our understanding of parents’ perspectives regarding the integration of VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management—including barriers, facilitators, and recommendations for future VR technologies. MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children with chronic pain between March and November 2024. Key aspects of the discussion centered on the acceptability, barriers, and enablers of integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. ResultsWe conducted 12 interviews. We identified four broad themes from the interview data: (1) views toward integrating VR technology into chronic pain management (perceived benefits, distraction, and redirection); (2) barriers to using VR technology for chronic pain management (accessibility, complexity, discomfort, and symptom exacerbation); (3) facilitators of integrating VR technology into chronic pain management (addressing financial barriers, integrating VR technology into clinical care, establishing evidence of effectiveness and showcasing positive patient experiences); and (4) recommendations for program content and features (relaxation and mindfulness, physical activity, customization, and social connection). ConclusionsOur findings underscore the perceived benefits of integrating VR technology into pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management to enhance physical, social, and mental health and well-being. However, there are several potential challenges that need to be addressed to improve the accessibility of VR technology for use in pediatric and adolescent chronic pain management. Our findings yielded several practical suggestions to guide the development of effective and equitable VR technology for chronic pain management in children and adolescents.https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e74082 |
| spellingShingle | Lindsay Sullivan Harrison Vriese Ellie Ferguson Megan Armstrong Hannah Williams Kathleen Lemanek Sharon Wrona Lauren Renner Lindsey Vater Henry Xiang Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Parents’ Perspectives on the Use of Virtual Reality in Pediatric Chronic Pain Management: Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | parents perspectives on the use of virtual reality in pediatric chronic pain management qualitative study |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e74082 |
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