Using virtual reality to reduce the need for procedural sedation in adults with intellectual disability

People with intellectual disability experience significant health inequities, including poorer health outcomes, higher rates of chronic health conditions, and reduced access to preventative healthcare. Anxiety, fear of medical procedures, communication difficulties, and a lack of appropriate supports can make routine healthcare procedures such as blood tests, vaccinations, and diagnostic imaging difficult or inaccessible for some individuals. In cases where essential healthcare cannot be completed using standard approaches, sedation may be required; however, access to specialist anaesthesia-supported services is limited. 

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing anxiety, pain, and distress during medical procedures. While VR has been successfully used in paediatric healthcare settings, there is limited evidence regarding its use with adults with intellectual disability. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of Virtual Reality as a person-centred intervention to reduce anxiety and improve tolerance of routine healthcare procedures among adults with intellectual disability who experience significant procedural distress and may otherwise require sedation.