Brief virtual reality sessions showed no clear postoperative pain benefit in children
After Nuss surgery, virtual reality did not significantly improve overall pain or reduce opioid use compared with passive video.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this trial, brief virtual reality sessions did not show statistically reliable improvements in overall pain or opioid use compared with passive video. An early signal for reduced pain intensity disappeared after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The findings leave uncertainty about any benefit and apply to this specific pediatric surgery and session schedule.
The study took place at a single hospital and tested brief sessions around a specific operation. Its abstract cannot establish whether longer sessions or other surgical settings would produce different results.
What researchers found
Opioid use
Pooled VR versus passive video during postoperative days 1 and 2.
What researchers measured
Relaxation or mindfulness VR and gaming VR were combined for comparison with the video group. Researchers measured pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, anxiety and opioid use during the hospital stay.
Why the adjustment matters
A pain-intensity difference initially appeared at the last post-session assessment. After accounting for the multiple statistical comparisons, it was no longer significant, making that apparent short-term benefit uncertain.
The original publication
Virtual Reality for the Management of Postoperative Pain and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Nuss Repair of Pectus Excavatum: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Walter CM, Froass D, Bell N et al.
JMIR Perioper Med · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41805632
- Record checked
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