Virtual Reality for Pain Management and Patient Satisfaction During Outpatient Hysteroscopy: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate virtual reality (VR) as a distraction technique to diminish pain perception and improve satisfaction in patients who underwent an outpatient hysteroscopy (OH).

Design

A prospective, parallel group, 1:1 randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Spanish University Hospital.

Sample

A total of 120 patients between 18 and 70 years old underwent an OH.

Method

A total of 120 patients were randomly allocated to undergo an OH either with standard treatment with vocal-local support (n = 60) or with the use of a VR device (n = 60) between January and June 2022.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was worst and average patient-reported pain score (0–10) during the procedure. The secondary outcome was patient satisfaction (1–5) with the OH and with the use of VR.

Results

Mean duration of the procedure (4.57 vs. 5.63 min, p = 0.11) and procedure performed did not differ among groups. There were no statistically significant differences in worst pain perception (VAS score 4.83 vs. 4.84, p = 0.95) or average pain perception (VAS score 2.91 vs. 3.21, p = 0.41) between the standard care and the VR group. There were no statistically significant differences in patient satisfaction between both groups.

Conclusions

The use of VR was as effective as the standard care with vocal-local support to improve pain perception and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing OH.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06463210