Needle phobia study investigates if virtual reality headsets can help

A research project is investigating if virtual reality can help reduce stress in patients with needle phobias.

Seeing a patient faint out of fear of getting a needle prompted registered nurse and now La Trobe University Masters research student, Craig Gilbertson, to consider "a better way".

He is leading a feasibility study, in partnership with Albury Wodonga Health, into using a virtual reality headset to distract people with needle phobias.

He said needle phobia could cause some patients to avoid hospitals and doctors altogether.

He said it also often took time and resources to deal with reactions to needles, such as fainting, which could put some patients  at risk of complications.

He said his goal was to prevent reactions to needles altogether, without medication. 

Albury Wodonga Health library and research office manager Anna Griffith said it was exciting to have local projects, particularly nurse-led research projects.

"Considering the impact not just for patients but for our professionals … in terms of reducing the burden for our workforce, I think that is something we really should be celebrating," Ms Griffith said.

A first for adults

Mr Gilbertson said virtual reality technology had already proven successful for children but he wanted to "give it a try" with adults.

He said he couldn't find any evidence of similar research among adults.

The headset weighs about 400 grams.

Mr Gilbertson said it was "quite comfortable", having used his own daughter, who developed an aversion to needles, to road test the idea.

Participants choose from immersive scenarios, including natural landscape such as beaches and lagoons, while wearing the headset and coming into contact with a needle.

"One person said it reminded them of being home in the Northern Territory, and it looked so realistic they half expected a crocodile to be in the water behind them," Mr Gilbertson said.

Patients can still hear, but they can also choose not to be talked through what's going on around them and have relaxing music put through the scenario instead.

Potential for future research

Mr Gilbertson said he hoped the study would lead to more research with adults.

From there, he said he would like to see a proper protocol created so virtual reality could be used more widely across different health services.

Mr Gilbertson said the project was ongoing and needed volunteers over the age of 18, with a needle phobia, who presented to Albury Wodonga Health.