2025/04/01 by Marwa Abu El Haija, Nicole Barsanti, Elizabeth Cotter +4 · 1 voice
Computer Science · Health Professions · Medicine · #Mobile Health and mHealth Applications #Pediatric Pain Management Techniques #Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/jhn.70054
openalex publication_date 2025/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
BACKGROUND: Pediatric obesity is associated with increased morbidity. One common therapy within multicomponent treatment for obesity is nutrition counselling and dietary education led by a Registered Dietitian (RD). Virtual reality (VR) improves engagement when used as an educational adjunct. METHODS: The primary aim investigated immediate dietary choices when pediatric patients with obesity engaged in traditional RD nutrition counselling compared to VR-supplemented nutrition counselling. Secondary aims explored food likability, knowledge, and satisfaction. Patients, 6-20 years old, presenting for obesity counselling were recruited. The primary aim was measured by after-visit food choice. Secondary aims were measured with the Pediatric Adapted Liking Scale, an assessment of nutritional facts, and a VR satisfaction survey. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Wilcoxon and t-tests. RESULTS: Forty participants were enroled and divided into two groups described above. There were no differences in food choice (p = 0.90). Regarding likability, the VR group liked vegetables more than those in the standard of care group (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in nutritional knowledge (p = 0.574). Participants in the VR group reported high satisfaction.