Introduction:
Port catheter placement in pediatric oncology patients is a common invasive procedure often accompanied by significant pain, fear, and anxiety. Non-pharmacological methods, particularly virtual reality, have recently gained attention as adjunct tools for pain reduction and enhancement of the patient experience. This systematic review was conducted with the objective of examining the role of virtual reality in alleviating pain, fear, and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients during port catheter placement. Materials and methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵. The search targeted articles employing the keywords "Virtual Reality", "VR", "Pain", "Anxiety", "Fear", "Port Catheter", "Implantable Venous Access Device", "Pediatric", "Children" and "Oncology”. Studies were included if they: (۱) involved pediatric oncology patients undergoing port catheter placement, (۲) applied virtual reality interventions, and (۳) reported outcomes related to pain, fear, or anxiety. Exclusion criteria were: non-randomized designs, reviews, case reports, and non-English studies. A total of ۲۱۲ records were retrieved. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, ۲۴ articles remained for full-text review. Finally, six randomized controlled trials met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Results: Recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that virtual reality significantly alleviates pain and anxiety in patients. Additionally, the interactive and game-based characteristics of virtual reality are instrumental in reducing fear and fostering cooperation among pediatric patients. Emerging evidence further supports the use of virtual reality as an effective adjunctive intervention in outpatient clinical settings for the reduction of patient stress and pain. This systematic review ultimately highlights that virtual reality constitutes a safe and efficacious modality for enhancing the treatment experience of pediatric oncology patients undergoing port catheter placement, thereby helping to alleviate procedural-related concerns. Conclusion:
Virtual reality technology, as a novel, safe, and non-pharmacological intervention, has shown considerable promise in alleviating pain, fear, and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients undergoing port catheter placement. The utilization of this technology has the potential to enhance the cohesiveness of the patient's therapeutic experience and improve the overall quality of care. However, given the limitations in the existing body of research, there is a critical need for more extensive and methodologically robust studies to establish and refine practical and clinical guidelines for its effective application.
