First virtual reality experience to reduce anxiety in children undergoing chemotherapy

The Barça Foundation joins the pediatric oncology project I Am Ready, led by Barcelona & Madrid Health Hub members Nixi for Children and The Ricky Rubio Foundation, to enhance the preparation of children undergoing chemotherapy, one of the most common cancer treatments.

This new approach is based on the *Child Life* model, a specialized method focused on the emotional care and support of children facing complex medical procedures. The project has received the backing of the Oncology team at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona.

Empowering Families with Information and Support

A cancer diagnosis brings uncertainty and numerous questions for the entire family. Access to clear and understandable information can significantly impact how they navigate this journey.

Through the lovable characters Nixi and PIX, children and their families will learn about the treatment in an engaging and educational way. The project includes three videos that guide them throughout the process:

1. Virtual Reality Chemotherapy Preparation: Using this tool along with PIX cardboard glasses, children can explore the hospital environment and experience a simulated chemotherapy session before their actual visit.
2. #LearnWithNixi: 'What is Chemotherapy?' This video serves as an essential resource for children undergoing chemotherapy, as well as their families, classmates, and friends, helping them understand the process.
3. #LearnWithNixi: 'What is a PAC?' An explanatory video about this crucial device for chemotherapy administration. It helps children understand its function and why they need it.

The preparation virtual reality will be available only and exclusively to the child in treatment through the patient access platform, but the other two videos of #AprendeConNixi will be published on open YouTube on the "Aprende Con Nixi en Español" channel, where they will be accessible to everyone, to be used as educational support material. In addition, for this project they will also be available in Catalan, on the "Aprèn amb en Nixi en Català" channel.

Medical Play Kit for Emotional Support

As with all I Am Ready treatments, each family will receive a #NixiKit, which includes:

• A virtual reality headset
• An activity booklet
• A Nixi medical play plush adapted to the treatment's needs. For chemotherapy, the plush is oncological, allowing children to remove its hair. It also includes chemotherapy medical play tools and a port-a-cath with velcro for administering chemotherapy to the plush.

All the contents of the kit have been conceived and designed with the supervision and collaboration of the pediatric oncology and Child Life psychology team of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona, taking into account the needs of patients and their families so that together they can learn through play.

Technology and Innovation for a More Humanized Hospital Experience

Since 2019, Nixi for Children has been developing technological solutions to improve health education for children and reduce the emotional impact of hospitalization. This new chemotherapy preparation initiative was first launched at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona and is expected to expand to more than 35 hospitals already part of the I Am Ready project. This initiative also supports other areas of pediatric oncology, such as radiotherapy, proton therapy, and preparation for bone marrow transplant isolation chambers.