Needle phobia, known as trypanophobia, is a recognised condition that is estimated to affect two-thirds of children. Image credit: Smileyscope.

Patients at The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, US, who fidget, wriggle, and squirm in the face of a needle will now be able to put on a virtual reality (VR) headset that helps them through the experience.

The Florida-based hospital has implemented Smileyscope Holding’s VR device in what the company calls one of the first rollouts for child medical use in the US. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The global VR market, which, according to a report by GlobalData is forecast to be worth $51bn by 2030, is seeing increased utilisation in healthcare – an emerging use is for the treatment of phobias.

Needle phobia, known as trypanophobia, is a recognised condition that is estimated to affect two-thirds of children.  Adults can have the fear too, with the NHS in England rolling out a VR treatment plan to help those receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Once put on a patient’s head, the Smileyscope device gives the child a virtual view that removes the negative associations of needles during procedures like vaccines and blood taking.

Australia-based Smileyscope has partnered with more than 40 US hospitals to implement its VR technology. CEO Evelyn Chan told Medical Device Network that the company worked with ex-Disney producers to create the device’s most popular animation.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Chan said: “We partnered with ex-Disney producers to create our therapeutic animations where waves wash over virtual arms during antiseptic cleaning and fish nibble when clinicians insert the needle. We patented this technology and called it ‘Procedural Choreography’, in which we substitute real-world negative stimuli for virtual stimuli filled with positive and friendly images.”

Chan added that while paediatric procedural pain is the main application, the company is exploring growth in other areas of healthcare too, such as reproductive health.

Chan commented: “Our goal is to continue to offer solutions to unmet needs within healthcare where medical-specific VR technology can offer a better experience for patients, caregivers, and clinicians.”