If the word “injection” causes your heart rate to rise, you’re not alone. One in four adults experience a fear of needles, often linked to childhood experiences.
Children who frequently visit the hospital can experience significant anxiety about even routine procedures, which may lead to long-term trauma. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), the Interventional Radiology team is working to reduce negative experiences by incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology into their procedures. This initiative aims to minimize patient anxiety, reduce the need for anesthesia, and make procedures less daunting for children.
In August, CHLA hired Phoenix Hunt as the hospital’s first embedded VR technologist. Hunt’s role is to guide and support patients through procedures by using specially designed, procedure-specific VR games. The Interventional Radiology team is utilizing VR technology in a novel way to address anxiety, pain, and discomfort associated with medical procedures. According to Joseph Miller, MD, MS, Director of Interventional Radiology, VR has traditionally been used to help patients relax, but at CHLA, it’s being applied more strategically to assist in pediatric care.
Interventional radiology involves minimally invasive procedures that use imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs to insert small medical devices or perform biopsies. While the procedures themselves are quick, the preparation and setup are often complex and anxiety-inducing for patients. In some cases, patients may require sedation, which involves a lengthy recovery process. Dr. Miller notes that the goal is to reduce the logistical burden on both patients and their families by offering a less invasive, non-sedation option that still provides effective pain and anxiety relief.
Phoenix Hunt, a trained VR technologist with a background in game design, explains that VR can transform a patient’s mindset by immersing them in a completely different environment, helping to detach their anxieties from the procedure. This approach has been shown to reduce the brain’s pain receptors, as the patient becomes distracted by the VR experience, minimizing their physical discomfort and fear. The Biobehavioral Pain Lab at CHLA, led by Jeffrey Gold, PhD, has studied this effect, supporting the idea that VR can be an effective tool in managing pain and anxiety without relying on medication.
When the VR program was first conceived, Dr. Miller and his team recognized that the technology itself wasn’t the missing piece—it was finding someone who could apply it in an individualized way. That’s where Hunt came in. After studying VR game design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Hunt realized his true passion lay in working in healthcare. His transition from video game design to clinical care allowed him to directly impact patient experiences, which he describes as his calling.
The role was made possible through the support of Child’s Play, a nonprofit organization that funds technology initiatives in hospitals. Hunt joined CHLA in August, and just a month later, he helped treat the first patient using VR technology. One of the early successes was with a young patient named Keira, who underwent a biopsy without sedation, relying only on VR to manage her anxiety and discomfort. Keira found the combination of VR and the support of the medical team helped her feel safe and calm throughout the procedure.
As Hunt continues to expand the VR program, he collaborates with medical teams to monitor patients’ heart rates, anxiety levels, and pain before, during, and after procedures. The goal is to make VR an integral part of patient care, offering an alternative to anesthesia for those who prefer it.
Currently, Hunt is the only VR technologist at CHLA, but the hospital plans to scale the program across other departments and patient populations. Dr. Miller and Hunt are also eager to see how other hospitals can implement similar programs to improve patient experiences. As VR technology continues to advance, CHLA is at the forefront of integrating it into pediatric care, ultimately paving the way for other healthcare institutions to follow suit.
