The Effect of Virtual Reality Application on Pain in Port Catheter Access in Pediatric Oncology Patients: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Objective: This study aims to determine the impact of virtual reality (VR) on pain levels during port catheter access in children aged 4-19 years. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effects of VR on pain catastrophizing, fear, anxiety/distress levels, and heart rates. Methods: This descriptive systematic review includes studies from databases like PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and others, using keywords such as "oncology," "leukemia," "virtual reality," "pain," "children," and "pediatric." Nine studies were selected based on the PICOS criteria, with a sample of 544 children. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the data were synthesized using a narrative synthesis method. Results: The studies showed that VR applications significantly reduce pain during port catheter access compared to standard care and other distraction techniques. Additionally, VR effectively reduces pain catastrophizing, fear, anxiety, distress, and heart rates. The application was found to be both effective and safe in managing pain for pediatric oncology patients. Conclusion: The evidence quality from the included studies ranges from moderate to strong. While the results are promising, further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of VR on pain management and psychological factors in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023441761).