Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality as a distraction technique in the management of acute pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy.
DESIGN: Parallel group, prospective randomised controlled trial.
SETTING: UK University Hospital.
METHODS: Forty consenting, eligible women were randomised to virtual reality intervention (immersive video content as a distraction method) or standard care during outpatient hysteroscopy from August to October 2018.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and anxiety outcomes were measured as a numeric rating score (scale 0-10).
RESULTS: Compared with standard care, women with virtual reality intervention experienced less average pain (score 6.0 versus 3.7, mean difference 2.3, 95% CI 0.61-3.99, P = 0.009) and anxiety (score 5.45 versus 3.3, mean difference 2.15, 95% CI 0.38-3.92, P = 0.02).
CONCLUSION: Virtual reality was effective in reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy in a mixed-methods randomised control trial. Its wide potential role in ambulatory gynaecological procedures needs further evaluation.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Virtual reality can be used as a part of a multimodal strategy to reduce acute pain and anxiety in patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 87-95 |
| Journal | BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology |
| Volume | 128 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 23 Jun 2020 |
Bibliographical note
© 2020 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.Keywords
- Anxiety
- outpatient hysteroscopy
- pain
- randomised controlled trial
- virtual reality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology