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Relieving Anxiety Through Virtual Reality Prior to Endoscopic Procedures.
Yuna Kim1, Sung Hwan Yoo1, Jaeyoung Chun1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yonsei Medical Journal
|January 31, 2023
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) may reduce anxiety before endoscopic procedures. This non-invasive method improved patient satisfaction with sedation, though further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Medical procedures
- Patient experience
- Virtual reality applications
Background:
- Endoscopic procedures can induce anxiety, potentially complicating the process and increasing sedation needs.
- Patient anxiety negatively impacts procedure comfort, duration, and completion rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exposure in mitigating pre-procedural anxiety.
- To assess VR's impact on patient anxiety levels, pain perception, and satisfaction during endoscopic procedures.
Main Methods:
- Forty patients undergoing endoscopic procedures were allocated to either a VR or control group.
- The VR group received VR exposure pre-procedure to manage anxiety.
- Outcomes measured included State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores, pain, and procedural satisfaction.
Main Results:
- While mean STAI scores did not differ, VR intervention significantly altered the proportion of patients experiencing high anxiety (STAI-state ≥45) pre-procedure (p=0.007).
- The VR group showed a significant increase in satisfaction with sedation compared to the control group (p=0.017).
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality exposure shows potential for anxiety relief in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures.
- VR is an accessible, non-invasive tool that can enhance patient satisfaction with sedation during these procedures.
- Further rigorous placebo-controlled studies are recommended to confirm these findings.
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