Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

loading page

Virtual Reality for Acute Pain in Outpatient Hysteroscopy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
  • +4
  • Nandita Deo,
  • Khalid Khan,
  • Jonathan Mak,
  • John Allotey,
  • Francisco Jose Gonzalez Carreras,
  • Gianpaolo Fusari,
  • Jonathan Benn
Nandita Deo
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Khalid Khan
University of Granada
Author Profile
Jonathan Mak
Queen Mary University of London
Author Profile
John Allotey
Queen Mary University of London
Author Profile
Francisco Jose Gonzalez Carreras
Queen Mary University of London, 58 Turner Street Yvonne Carter Building
Author Profile
Gianpaolo Fusari
Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art
Author Profile
Jonathan Benn
University of Leeds
Author Profile

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality as a distraction technique in the management of acute pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy. Methods: A parallel group, prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted at a UK University Hospital (August to October 2018) (ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT03699280). Forty consenting, eligible women were randomised to virtual reality intervention (immersive video content as a distraction method) or standard care during outpatient hysteroscopy. Pain and anxiety outcomes were measured as a numeric rating score (scale of 0-10). Results: Compared to standard care, women with virtual reality intervention experienced less average pain (score 6.0 vs 3.7, mean difference 2.3, 95% CI 0.61-3.99, p=0.009) and anxiety (score 5.45 vs 3.3, mean difference 2.15, 95% CI 0.38-3.92, p=0.02). Conclusion: Virtual Reality was effective in reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy in a pilot trial. Its wide potential role in ambulatory gynaecologic procedures needs further evaluation.
09 Mar 2020Submitted to BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
11 Mar 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Mar 2020Assigned to Editor
18 Mar 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Mar 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Apr 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
28 May 20201st Revision Received
09 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
09 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept