Children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) frequently undergo prolonged treatments requiring injection or intravenous medication, which can be painful and anxiety-inducing, especially due to the anticipation of needle insertion. The sterile, clinical environment often exacerbates these emotions, leading to significant distress both before and during treatment. Despite efforts to provide comfort, these experiences can remain traumatic for young patients and their families. Research suggests that immersive VR interventions can effectively reduce pain and anxiety beyond simple distraction techniques.

BraveVR offers a virtual reality experience that immerses young patients in an engaging, customizable virtual world, offering a much-needed escape from the clinical setting.

Studies indicate that virtual reality experiences, particularly those tailored to patient needs, can significantly reduce anxiety and perceived pain levels in clinical settings. We aim to validate these findings by addressing the following research questions through an MVP tested in real treatment scenarios.

1. How effective is this tool in reducing pre-treatment and in-treatment anxiety among pediatric patients with JIA undergoing injection or Intravenous therapies?
2. To what extent does customization of the virtual environment impact patient engagement, comfort, and willingness to undergo repeated treatments?
3. Does regular use of this tool improve overall treatment compliance, patient-reported outcomes, and reduced distress in follow-up medical visits?