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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Jan;128(1):87-95.
doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.16377. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Virtual reality for acute pain in outpatient hysteroscopy: a randomised controlled trial

N Deo  1   2 , K S Khan  3 , J Mak  3 , J Allotey  4 , F J Gonzalez Carreras  4 , G Fusari  5 , J Benn  6
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Free article
Randomized Controlled Trial

Virtual reality for acute pain in outpatient hysteroscopy: a randomised controlled trial

N Deo et al. BJOG. 2021 Jan.
Free article

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.

Keywords: Anxiety; outpatient hysteroscopy; pain; randomised controlled trial; virtual reality.

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