title: Effects of videogame distraction using a virtual reality type head-mounted display helmet on cold pressor pain in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test whether a head-mounted display helmet enhances the effectiveness of videogame distraction for children experiencing cold pressor pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one children, aged 6-14 years, underwent one or two baseline cold pressor trials followed by two distraction trials in which they played the same videogame with and without the helmet in counterbalanced order. Pain threshold (elapsed time until the child reported pain) and pain tolerance (total time the child kept the hand submerged in the cold water) were measured for each cold pressor trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both distraction conditions resulted in improved pain tolerance relative to baseline. Older children appeared to experience additional benefits from using the helmet, whereas younger children benefited equally from both conditions. The findings suggest that virtual reality technology can enhance the effects of distraction for some children. Research is needed to identify the characteristics of children for whom this technology is best suited.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. dahlquis@umbc.edu
authors: Lynnda M
authors: LM
authors: Dahlquist
authors: Karen E
authors: KE
authors: Weiss
authors: Lindsay Dillinger
authors: LD
authors: Clendaniel
authors: Emily F
authors: EF
authors: Law
authors: Claire Sonntag
authors: CS
authors: Ackerman
authors: Kristine D
authors: KD
authors: McKenna
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000523:psychology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games