Use of virtual reality in reducing pediatric perioperative anxiety: A literature synthesis review for current evidence based practice

Abstract

Background and objective: Pediatric patients frequently experience significant preoperative anxiety, with prevalence estimates ranging from 50% to 75%. This anxiety is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased postoperative pain, emergence agitation or delirium, prolonged recovery, and elevated healthcare costs. Despite heightened interest in non-pharmacologic interventions, awareness among healthcare providers regarding the substantial evidence supporting immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) to mitigate preoperative anxiety in children may remain limited. The objective of this systematic literature synthesis was to critically evaluate and consolidate contemporary evidence regarding the use of Virtual Reality as an intervention to reduce anxiety in pediatric perioperative care. The review also aimed to examine comparative effectiveness, implementation feasibility, and implications for translating evidence into clinical practice.