Virtual Reality as a distraction therapy during cystoscopy: a clinical trial

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pain Management
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Rigid cystoscopy under local anesthesia can cause significant pain and discomfort.
• Exploring non-pharmacological methods to mitigate procedural pain is crucial for patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) as a distraction therapy for reducing pain during rigid cystoscopy.
• To assess the impact of VR on patient discomfort, heart rate variability, and procedure duration.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized, controlled study involving 159 patients undergoing rigid cystoscopy.
• Patients were allocated to either a VR intervention group or a control group.
• VR intervention involved using a headset with a smartphone app during the procedure. Pain, discomfort, heart rate variability, and procedure duration were primary outcomes.

Main Results:

• VR intervention was associated with significantly decreased heart rate variability (P<0.001) and shorter procedure duration (P<0.001).
• Excluding cystoscopies for double-J stent removal, VR significantly reduced pain scores on the visual analog scale (P=0.023).
• No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics or procedural difficulty were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality is a safe and effective distraction therapy for outpatient rigid cystoscopies.
• VR use is associated with reduced pain, discomfort, and procedure length.
• The findings support the integration of VR into routine urological practice to enhance patient experience.