Effect of a Virtual Reality Technology Program on Fear of Vaccine Injections in Preschool Children
Keywords:
Fear, Preschool children, Vaccine injections, Virtual realityAbstract
Injection-related pain and fear are common adverse reactions in preschool children undergoing vaccination, and they influence vaccine acceptance. Intense fear can have adverse effects on their physical, mental, and behavioral health. This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of a Virtual Reality (VR) technology program on preschool children's fear of vaccine injections. The participants consisted of 52 preschool children aged 3-5 years, who came to receive vaccinations at a well-baby clinic. The participants were selected purposively, and divided into an experimental group and a control group with 26 children in each. The operation was carried out with the control group first, followed by the experimental group. The experimental group received the VR program and routine nursing care. The control group received routine nursing care. The research tools included the VR technology program, a child's demographic data form, the Children's Face Fear Scale, and the Children's Fear Behavior Observation form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
The research results showed that preschool children in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in fear behavior scores after participating in the program, with results reaching statistical significance (Z = -4.497, p < .01), and significantly lower scores compared to the control group (Z = - 6.307, p < .01).
The results suggest that the VR program can reduce preschoolers’ fear of vaccinations. The adoption of VR programs should be promoted to reduce fear of vaccination and provide preschool children with positive memories of vaccinations to enhance their mental development.
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