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