Virtual Reality as a distraction therapy during cystoscopy: a clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objectives: to investigate whether virtual reality (VR) experience is associated with decreased pain sensation among patients who undergo rigid cystoscopy under local anesthesia. Methods: we performed a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 159 patients who were aleatorily enrolled into two groups: VR and control. VR experience intervention consisted of using a headset with a smartphone adapted to a virtual reality glasses where an app-video was played during the procedure. Main outcomes analyzed were pain, discomfort, heart rate variability, difficulty and duration of the cystoscopy. Statistical analyses were performed using a Student’s t test, Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square test. A P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: among 159 patients studied (VR group=80 patients; control group=79 patients), the mean age was 63,6 years and 107 (67,3%) were male. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. VR was significantly associated to decreased heart rate variability (6,29 vs 11,09 bpm, P<0,001) and lower duration of the procedure (5,33 vs 8,65 min, P<0,001). Also, when cystoscopies due to double-J extraction were excluded, VR experience was associated with reduced pain on the visual analog score of pain (3,26 vs 4,33 cm, P=0,023). Conclusions: the use of VR as a distraction therapy while performing outpatient cystoscopies is safe, has no side effects, is associated with less pain and discomfort, and reduces length of procedure.