We're in Valencia for the 9th World Congress of Vascular Access — WoCoVA 2026 — and Day 1 has already delivered some of the most compelling evidence we've seen on patient anxiety, needle phobia and the case for training that goes beyond the technical skill.

The opening sessions covered non-pharmacological approaches to managing anxiety during vascular access procedures. The physiology is clear: when a patient is anxious, the limbic system activates, there's a sympathetic surge, vessels constrict — and suddenly your access gets harder. Not because of technique. Because of the patient in front of you.

This is something we've always built into VeinTrain's approach to venepuncture and cannulation training. Managing anxiety is a clinical skill, not a soft skill. And the data presented here is backing that up with more colour and power than ever before.

VR Hypnosis — from Specialist Skill to Scalable System

The virtual sedation session made a compelling case for hypnosis in vascular access — improving communication, reducing anxiety and pain perception, supporting patient rehabilitation. The honest acknowledgement? It needs trained teams, time, and the right environment. Not always available on a busy ward.

The answer being explored at WoCoVA 2026 is virtual reality hypnosis: full auditory and visual immersion that standardises the experience and makes it accessible without needing a specialist in the room. It's already being used daily in ambulatory surgery and palliative care. Vascular access is next.

Needle Phobia Is Not Rare — and It's Mostly Going Unrecognised

Dr Grace Xu's VR-ED trial was a standout moment. The study looked at using virtual reality to reduce anxiety during painful needle procedures in emergency departments. The headline stat: 48% of 150 patients reported moderate to high anxiety before needle-related procedures.

Nearly half. Not children — adults. And in most cases, nobody asked.

How many of your patients are needle phobic and you don't even know it? Are teams screening? Are they asking? At VeinTrain, this is exactly why we train beyond the technical. The needle is only part of the story.

The trial showed strong feasibility and real anxiety reduction with VR. The evidence base for this space is moving fast — and it will reshape how we think about procedural preparation in venepuncture and cannulation training.

More from WoCoVA 2026 to follow. Watch this space.

VeinTrain delivers venepuncture and cannulation training for NHS trusts, independent clinicians and healthcare organisations across the UK. Find out more about our training approach.