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Updated: May 15, 2025
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E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
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Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality During Outpatient Sedation-Free Colonoscopy: A Randomized Prospective Controlled
Myriam Ayari1,2, Sameh Riahi1,2, Mohamed Hedi Douggui1,2
1Department of Gastroenterology Internal Security Forces Hospital La Marsa La Marsa Tunisia.
Health Science Reports
|April 8, 2025
Summary
Immersive virtual reality (VR) significantly reduced pain and anxiety during sedation-free colonoscopies. This technology offers a promising, noninvasive method to improve patient comfort and optimize the examination experience.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Technology
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Colonoscopy is essential for colon examination but patient tolerance impacts sedation-free procedure quality.
- Pharmacological sedation poses risks of adverse events.
- Immersive virtual reality (VR) was investigated as an alternative to improve patient tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of immersive VR during sedation-free colonoscopy.
- To assess VR's effect on patient anxiety, comfort, and pain levels.
Main Methods:
- A prospective controlled study randomized outpatients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy into VR headset or control groups.
- Anxiety, comfort, and pain were measured using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Gloucester scale, and verbal rating scale (VRS).
Main Results:
- Patients using VR reported significantly lower post-procedural anxiety (mean STAI 47 vs. 53, p<0.01) and pain (VRS 0.44 vs. 1.32, p<0.01).
- VR use correlated with increased comfort during the endoscopic examination (Gloucester scale, p<0.01).
- Time to caecal intubation was slightly lower in the VR group (19 min vs. 26 min, p=0.07).
Conclusions:
- Immersive VR technology is a well-accepted, noninvasive tool for enhancing colonoscopy tolerance.
- VR effectively reduces procedure-induced pain and anxiety, leading to an optimized examination.
- VR presents a promising strategy for improving the patient experience during sedation-free colonoscopies.
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