Long-term hospitalization is not just a physical ordeal for children—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Being removed from the comfort of home and subjected to unfamiliar medical procedures increases anxiety and fear. Children often face pain, loneliness, a sense of helplessness, and the uncertainty of not knowing when their hospital stay will end. Even for adults, maintaining hope during illness is difficult; for a child, it can feel like an insurmountable obstacle.
In hospitals, opportunities for play and entertainment are limited, which makes coping with illness even harder. Medical procedures, needle pricks, and tests can be frightening, especially when children don’t understand what’s happening to them.
The presence and love of parents help children cope with these challenges, but parents themselves often struggle with stress and emotional toll. Fortunately, modern technology offers new opportunities for children in hospitals. With VR headsets, children can experience adventures, travel to magical places, and engage in play—all within the safety of virtual reality. This helps distract them from the realities of illness and their hospital surroundings. VR usage has been shown to reduce anxiety and pain while boosting children's mood.
Thanks to the generosity of László Csőke, a Hungarian businessman living in Dubai, many children’s hospitals have been equipped with VR headsets. These devices help young patients better endure the challenges of illness. The Én Szívem Foundation is deeply grateful to Mr. Csőke, whose unwavering support continues to improve the lives of hospitalized children.
Through virtual reality, children can escape the hospital environment and immerse themselves in new worlds, significantly lowering their anxiety and fear. VR headsets allow them to “travel” to places they couldn’t physically reach, and undergo treatments that might otherwise seem frightening.
VR isn’t just for fun—it also serves therapeutic purposes. Visual and auditory stimulation in VR helps distract children during painful procedures. These modern tools lift spirits, lessen feelings of isolation, and allow children to handle treatment more easily.
VR opens exciting new avenues in pediatric care. By allowing children to detach from hospital stress, manage their pain and anxiety, and improve their overall mood, virtual reality helps them actively participate in their own healing process.