Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Senior Thesis

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Primary Major

Nursing

Primary Minor

Leadership Studies

Thesis Advisor

Luanne Linnard-Palmer, EdD, MSN, RN

Abstract

Children undergoing cancer treatment often experience pain and anxiety during cancer treatment, including chemotherapeutic invasive procedures such as frequent port access or peripheral catheterization. Nurse-led distraction techniques, including virtual reality and play therapy, have emerged as promising non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce levels of pain and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients. This thesis analyzes existing data through a close examination of primary and secondary research articles that prove the effectiveness of virtual reality and play therapy on reducing pain, anxiety, and psychosocial distress in pediatric oncology patients receiving cancer treatment. Using the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Symptom Management Theory, the following study proposes a quasi-experimental design involving 90 pediatric oncology patients aged 6-12 years diagnosed with leukemia. Participants will be placed in either a nurse-led VR distraction, play therapy, or standard care group. Pain and anxiety levels will be measured before and after each invasive procedure using the standardized tools of the Wong-Baker FACES Scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). It is anticipated that both distraction groups will show statistically significant reductions in pain and anxiety levels compared to standard care. Findings may support the implementation of nurse-led distraction techniques in routine nursing care to promote a more holistic approach to symptom management. Limitations of the study include a non-randomized design, short-term assessment, and a single-site setting. This study supports the central nursing role in symptom management in pediatric oncology.

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