VR for needle fear: blood tests, cannulation and vaccination without the struggle
Needle fear is one of the most common reasons a short procedure becomes long and hard. NXT/Care moves the child's attention away from the needle with hand-controlled XR games – while the child keeps seeing their parents and the staff.
- Used by the Capital Region of Denmark
- Built in Denmark
- Hosted in the EU
- No installation
- Pilot within 14 days
Why needle fear matters
Many children are afraid of needles. For some it is brief discomfort; for others the fear makes the procedure take longer, need more hands, and leave a memory they bring to the next visit.
Distraction is one of the best-documented non-pharmacological methods against needle pain and anxiety in children. When attention is occupied by something else, the needle takes up less space.
How NXT/Care is used during needle procedures
- Before: the child puts on the headset and picks a game – it takes under a minute.
- During: the child plays with one hand while the other is free for the blood test, cannulation or injection.
- After: the Pusteven breathing exercise and calm worlds help the child settle.
- Stop any time: two palms together in front of the headset ends the experience.
Mixed reality instead of closed VR
Many paediatric wards already own VR headsets. Classic VR shuts the child inside another world – and for young children that can be frightening in itself when parents, the room and the staff suddenly disappear.
NXT/Care runs in mixed reality with passthrough: the child keeps seeing the real world, and the experience is layered on top of it. The child can keep eye contact with their parents, see and hear the staff, and uses their own hands in the game. That means reassurance, fewer headsets pulled off, and no motion sickness.
- Closed VR: the child only sees the virtual world – contact with the room disappears.
- NXT/Care (mixed reality): the child sees the room, you and their parents – and plays with their hands, no controllers.
- Already have headsets? Existing XR headsets with passthrough, such as Meta Quest 3, can often be used straight away.
NXT/Care is not a medical device and does not replace clinical judgement or pain management. The experiences are designed around the well-documented effect of distraction.
Frequently asked questions
Does VR help with needle fear in children?
Distraction is one of the best-documented non-pharmacological methods against needle pain and anxiety in children, and several studies have examined VR specifically. NXT/Care is built on that evidence.
Can NXT/Care be used during IV cannulation?
Yes. The child controls the game with one hand, leaving the other free for cannulation, blood sampling or injection.
Don't young children get scared of VR headsets?
Some children can feel unsafe when reality disappears in closed VR. NXT/Care runs in passthrough, so the child keeps seeing parents, staff and the room.
What age is it suitable for?
The games are designed for children from around age 5 and tested with Danish children. The calming experiences are used by patients of all ages.
See it in practice – in 25 minutes
Book a free demo, or leave your number and we will call you back within 2 hours on weekdays (CET). A pilot can start within 14 days.