Reducing pain and anxiety with virtual reality in (outpatient) gynecological procedures: a systematic review with meta-analysis

IF 2.7

AJOG global reports Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-15 DOI:10.1016/j.xagr.2026.100640

Annelotte van Haaps MD , Merel Oskam MD , Kim Dreyer MD, PhD , Kimmy Rosielle MD, PhD , Ralph de Vries MSc , Ben Willem Mol MD, PhD , Madelon van Wely MD, PhD , Jan Willem Kallewaard MD, PhD , Anneke Schreurs MD, PhD , Velja Mijatovic MD, PhD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in medicine for pain and anxiety management. It has been frequently studied in the field of Gynecology and Obstetrics and found effective during labour. However, its application during (outpatient) gynecological procedures as pain and anxiety management remains underexplored.

Objective

This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to study the effect of VR on pain, anxiety and patient experiences when provided during (outpatient) gynecological procedures.

Study design

A systematic review was performed, by systematically searching PubMed, Embase, APA PsycInfo and Web of Science (Core Collection) from inception to March 20th 2024. Articles on the effect of VR on pain (VAS or NRS) and anxiety (all measurement tools) during (outpatient) gynecological procedures were included. Study designs had to be randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies. Data were collected independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate mean differences (MD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI), Sensitivity analyses and a subgroup analysis were performed.

Results

Thirteen RCTs, published between 2015 and 2024, reporting on VR during (outpatient) gynecological procedures for benign conditions were included. Virtual Reality significantly improved overall pain scores (MD -0.95 (95%CI -1.44 to -0.47); n=12, I²=77%; scale 0−10), preprocedural anxiety (MD -3.33 (95%CI -5.84 to -0.82); n=5, I²=5%; scale 0−100) and postprocedural anxiety (MD-15.83 (95%CI -29.39 to -2.17); n=6, I²=93%; scale0−100).

Conclusion

The meta-analysis suggests that VR could positively influence overall pain and procedural anxiety. Not all studies reported on all outcome measures which might have introduced reporting bias and lead to an overestimation of the effect of VR. Future studies should further study the correlation between pain and anxiety and the effect of VR on this. However, VR provides an alternative to pain medication, without the risks associated with pharmaceuticals, making it an attractive option.

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减少疼痛和焦虑与虚拟现实（门诊）妇科手术：系统回顾与荟萃分析

虚拟现实（VR）越来越多地用于治疗疼痛和焦虑。它经常在妇产科领域进行研究，并发现在分娩时有效。然而，它在（门诊）妇科手术中作为疼痛和焦虑管理的应用仍未得到充分探索。目的：本系统综述结合荟萃分析，旨在研究VR对（门诊）妇科手术期间疼痛、焦虑和患者体验的影响。研究设计通过系统检索PubMed、Embase、APA PsycInfo和Web of Science （Core Collection）从建站到2024年3月20日进行系统评价。纳入了有关（门诊）妇科手术期间VR对疼痛（VAS或NRS）和焦虑（所有测量工具）影响的文章。研究设计必须是随机对照试验（rct）或队列研究。数据由两名审稿人独立收集。进行meta分析以95%置信区间（95% ci）计算平均差异（MD），进行敏感性分析和亚组分析。结果纳入了2015年至2024年间发表的13项随机对照试验，报告了良性疾病（门诊）妇科手术期间的VR。虚拟现实显著改善了整体疼痛评分(MD -0.95 (95%CI -1.44至-0.47)；n = 12, I2 = 77%;量表0 - 10)，手术前焦虑(MD -3.33 (95%CI -5.84至-0.82)；n = 5, I2 = 5%;量表0 ~ 100)和术后焦虑(MD-15.83 (95%CI -29.39 ~ -2.17)；n = 6, I2 = 93%;scale0−100)。结论虚拟现实对整体疼痛和程序性焦虑有正向影响。并非所有的研究都报告了所有的结果测量，这可能会导致报告偏倚，并导致对VR效果的高估。未来的研究应进一步研究疼痛与焦虑的相关性以及VR在其中的作用。然而，虚拟现实提供了一种止痛药的替代品，没有与药物相关的风险，使其成为一个有吸引力的选择。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

AJOG global reports Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Perinatology, Pediatrics and Child Health, Urology

CiteScore

1.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量