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Effectiveness of virtual reality to manage pain and anxiety in patients undergoing cystoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  • 0Department of Medicine, University Centre FMABC, Santo André, Brazil.
Asian Journal of Urology +

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December 30, 2025

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December 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Virtual reality (VR) distraction technologies did not significantly reduce pain or anxiety during cystoscopy procedures in a meta-analysis of four trials. Further research is needed to explore VR

Area Of Science

  • Urology
  • Medical Technology
  • Pain Management

Background

  • Cystoscopy procedures can cause significant patient anxiety and pain.
  • Virtual reality (VR) distraction is a novel technology proposed to mitigate procedural discomfort.
  • Evidence on VR's efficacy in urological procedures remains limited.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of VR distraction technologies for managing pain and anxiety in patients undergoing cystoscopy.
  • To evaluate the impact of VR on procedural pain, anxiety levels, and heart rate.

Main Methods

  • A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to July 2024.
  • Four randomized controlled trials involving 575 patients comparing VR distraction versus no VR distraction during cystoscopy were included.
  • Data on patient-reported pain, anxiety, and post-procedural heart rate were pooled using a random-effects model.

Main Results

  • The pooled analysis included 289 patients who used VR distraction.
  • No statistically significant differences were found in patient-reported procedural pain (SMD -0.16; p=0.060), anxiety (SMD -0.37; p=0.6), or post-procedural heart rate (SMD -0.58; p=0.3) between VR and control groups.
  • High heterogeneity was observed for anxiety (I²=93%) and heart rate (I²=97%) outcomes.

Conclusions

  • The current meta-analysis indicates that VR distraction technology does not significantly alleviate pain or anxiety during cystoscopy.
  • The findings suggest that VR may not be an effective intervention for managing patient discomfort in this specific urological procedure based on available evidence.
  • Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to definitively assess VR's role in cystoscopy and other urological interventions.

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