Assessing Patient Perceptions of Virtual Reality Use for Pelvic Exams

The objectives of this study were to evaluate patient willingness to use virtual reality (VR) for future pelvic exams and whether this proclivity is associated with a history of trauma and/or mental health concerns. This was an Institutional Review Board-approved acceptability pilot study performed at a single site with human participants. Trauma/toxic stress (Adverse Childhood Experiences ≥4), post-traumatic stress disorder (Impact of Events Scale ≥26), and anxiety (Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale ≥7) screenings were performed. Patients then attended a proctored VR experience and completed a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (mUTAUT) survey. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Fifty percent (6/12) of patients indicated they would utilize VR during a future pelvic exam. Trauma/toxic stress, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety rates were 25%, 25%, and 58.3% respectively, but were not associated with device use willingness. The mUTAUT scores showed VR proclivity based on facilitating conditions, social influence, and behavioral intentions. Half of the patients would opt for VR during future pelvic exams, but no correlation was seen with anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or trauma/toxic stress.