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Assessing Patient Perceptions of Virtual Reality Use for Pelvic Exams
Katherine Moran Sweterlitsch1, Eynav E Accortt1, Kenneth H Kim1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Journal of Medical Extended Reality
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Half of patients are willing to use virtual reality (VR) for pelvic exams. However, willingness to use VR was not linked to a history of trauma or mental health conditions like anxiety or PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Medical Technology
- Patient Experience
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Pelvic exams can cause patient anxiety and distress.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a potential tool to improve patient comfort during medical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess patient willingness to use VR for future pelvic exams.
- To determine if trauma history or mental health concerns influence VR adoption for pelvic exams.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving patient screening for trauma, PTSD, and anxiety.
- Patients experienced a VR simulation and completed a technology acceptance survey (mUTAUT).
- Data analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 50% of patients expressed willingness to use VR for future pelvic exams.
- No significant association was found between VR willingness and rates of trauma, PTSD, or anxiety.
- VR acceptance was influenced by facilitating conditions, social influence, and behavioral intentions.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of patients are open to using VR for pelvic exams.
- Patient history of trauma or mental health issues did not correlate with VR adoption willingness.
- VR technology shows promise for enhancing patient acceptance of pelvic exams.
