Variations of the Relative Parasympathetic Tone Assessed by ANI During Oocyte Retrieval Under Local Anaesthesia with Virtual Reality : A Randomized, Controlled, Monocentric, Open Study

Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is an outpatient procedure performed under local anaesthesia. Hypno-analgesia could be effective in managing comfort during this procedure. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a virtual reality headset as an adjunct to local anaesthesia in managing nociception during oocyte retrieval. This was a prospective, randomized single-centre study including patients undergoing oocyte retrieval under local anaesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (virtual reality headset + local anaesthesia) or the control group (local anaesthesia). The primary outcome was the efficacy on the ANI^®, which reflects the relative parasympathetic tone. Secondary outcomes included pain, anxiety, conversion to general anaesthesia rate, procedural duration, patient’s and gynaecologist’s satisfaction and virtual reality headset tolerance. ANI was significantly lower in the virtual reality group during the whole procedure (mean ANI: 79 95 CI [77; 81] vs 74 95 CI [72; 76]; p < 0.001; effect size Cohen’s d -0.53 [-0.83, -0.23]), and during the two most painful moments: infiltration (mean ANI: 81 +/- 11 vs 74 +/- 13; p < 0.001; effect size Cohen’s d -0.54[-0.85, -0.24]) and oocytes retrieval (mean ANI: 78 +/- 11 vs 74.40 +/- 11; p = 0.020; effect size Cohen’s d -0.37 [-0.67, -0.07]).There was no significant difference in pain measured by VAS. No serious adverse events related were reported. The integration of virtual reality as an hypnotic tool during oocyte retrieval under local anaesthesia in assisted reproductive techniques could improve patient’s comfort and experience.