Proposal for a Distraction Technique Using Two-Screen Projection for Stress Relief in Children With Medical Complexity

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of virtual reality images as a means of reducing pain and fear in children, through the use of projection technology. While body-worn immersive displays have been previously suggested for this purpose, head-mounted displays have been found to be unsuitable due to their lack of interactivity. To address this issue, we propose a simple and cost-effective two-screen projection system that can be installed in a hospital room without interfering with communication and without compromising the immersive experience. By projecting onto screens installed on the wall and floor, an immersive digital space can be created visually. Our experiments, in which we measured α -amylase activity in saliva, showed that the proposed two-screen projection significantly reduced stress levels in healthy adults when compared to one-screen projection. Additionally, we conducted an experiment using the KOKORO scale as a subjective measure, which revealed that children with medical complexity experienced a significant reduction in stress levels after viewing the two-screen projection compared to before viewing. These findings suggest that the proposed system could serve as an ideal distraction in pediatric nursing, thereby providing much-needed nursing support to children and their families.