VR distraction for children: what it is, how it works, and how to choose the right solution
VR distraction is used on paediatric wards and in dental clinics to make needles, blood tests and treatments easier for children. Here is a complete guide to what the method is, what the research shows – and what to look for when choosing a solution.
- Used by the Capital Region of Denmark
- Built in Denmark
- Hosted in the EU
- No installation
- Pilot within 14 days
What is VR distraction?
VR distraction means that during a procedure the child wears an XR headset and becomes absorbed in a game or experience. When attention is held elsewhere, the needle, the drill or the waiting takes up less space.
The method builds on distraction – one of the best-documented non-pharmacological methods for reducing children's pain and anxiety during needle procedures. The headset is simply an effective tool for making the distraction engaging.
Where is VR distraction used?
- Blood tests, IV cannulation and injections – where needle fear often makes procedures long and hard.
- Scan preparation – videos that prepare the child for what will happen.
- Dental treatment – in municipal child dental care and dental clinics.
- Waiting time before and after treatment – with calm experiences and breathing exercises.
Does it work?
Several Cochrane reviews support distraction for needle pain and anxiety in children, and newer studies have examined VR specifically – including a 2022 meta-analysis and a 2023 randomised trial. Evidence quality varies, and the effect depends on the child actually becoming absorbed.
Closed VR or mixed reality?
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.
Checklist: how to choose a solution
- Does the child see the room? Passthrough/mixed reality keeps contact with parents and staff. Closed VR does not.
- Does it need controllers? Every extra part has to be charged, cleaned and explained. Hand tracking is simpler.
- How fast can you start? If set-up takes more than a minute, it gets skipped on a busy ward.
- Does anything need installing? A solution that runs via a link needs no IT project.
- Where is data hosted? For public-sector buyers in Europe, EU hosting is a natural requirement.
- Is the content age-appropriate? Games for younger children, calm experiences for all ages.
- Can you start with a pilot? It gives you a basis for the decision before you commit.
- How is it cleaned? It should be wipeable with your usual disinfectant.
NXT/Care is built to answer yes to the whole list: mixed reality with passthrough, hand control with no controllers, ready in under a minute via a link, built in Denmark and hosted in the EU – and a pilot can start within 14 days.
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
What is VR distraction?
VR distraction is when a child wears an XR headset during a procedure and becomes absorbed in a game or experience, so the needle, drill or waiting takes up less space.
Does VR distraction work?
Distraction is one of the best-documented non-pharmacological methods against needle pain and anxiety in children, and several studies have examined VR specifically. The effect depends on the child becoming absorbed.
What is the difference between VR and mixed reality?
In closed VR the child only sees the virtual world. In mixed reality with passthrough the child keeps seeing the room, parents and staff while the experience is layered on top.
How do we get started?
Book a short demo or leave your number for a call back. A pilot can start within 14 days.
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.