ArticlePediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology2025
Effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing anxiety, fear, and pain in children undergoing skin prick testing: A crossover study.
Article in Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- VR-guided deep breathing during needle procedures in children.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing anxiety, fear, and pain in children undergoing skin prick testing: A crossover study.Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSkin prick testing (SPT) is a cornerstone diagnostic procedure for identifying allergic sensitizations in children. Despite being minimally invasive, it often provokes considerable anxiety, fear, and pain, potentially compromising test accuracy due to poor compliance. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological tool for procedural distress management, yet its application in allergy diagnostics remains underexplored.
objectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of VR in reducing procedural anxiety, fear, and pain, and improving compliance in children undergoing SPT.
methodsThis single-center, cross-over interventional study enrolled 108 children (aged 4-18 years) with suspected or confirmed environmental or food allergies. Each participant underwent two SPT sessions: one with immersive VR distraction and one using standard-of-care (SOC) distraction methods, separated by a 6-month washout period. Outcomes were assessed using validated scales for anxiety (Children's Anxiety Meter), fear (Children's Fear Scale), pain (Wong-Baker FACES), and procedural compliance (modified Induction Compliance Checklist). Physiological parameters and staff satisfaction were also recorded.
resultsVR significantly reduced anxiety, fear, and pain compared to SOC across multiple time points, with marked improvements in compliance (100% full compliance in the VR group vs. 0% in SOC) and staff satisfaction. No adverse events were reported, confirming the safety of VR in this setting.
conclusionsVR is a safe and effective tool for minimizing procedural distress and enhancing compliance in children undergoing SPT. Its integration into routine allergy diagnostics may improve patient experience and procedural success.
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