Pain modulation by audiovisual distraction during cystoscopy

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pain Management
• Medical Procedure Innovation

Background:

• Cystoscopy is a frequent urological diagnostic, therapeutic, and surveillance procedure.
• It is often performed under local anesthesia, causing patient pain and discomfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare perceived pain levels during local cystoscopy with and without audiovisual distraction (AVD).

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 91 patients undergoing local rigid cystoscopy.
• The study group received audiovisual distraction (musical video), while the control group did not.
• Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Main Results:

• The mean VAS score was significantly lower in the AVD group (2.52 ± 1.2 SD) compared to the control group (4.97 ± 1.35 SD).
• Pain scores ranged from 1-5/10 with AVD versus 1-8/10 without AVD.
• The difference in pain levels was statistically significant (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Audiovisual distraction is a highly effective method for reducing pain during local rigid cystoscopy.
• AVD is particularly recommended for patients experiencing cystoscopy for the first time.
• Implementing AVD can improve patient comfort during this common urological procedure.