Perioperative Virtual Reality Intervention for Pain and Anxiety During Vasectomies

University of Manitoba

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Vasectomy; Anxiety; Pain; Virtual Reality

Treatments: Other: Treatment as usual; Device: Virtual reality (VR) guided meditation therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07055178

HS26972

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a virtual reality (VR) program (TRIPP) can reduce pain, anxiety, and distress in adult men (aged 18+) undergoing a vasectomy under local anesthesia. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does using VR during a vasectomy lower patients' pain during the procedure compared to standard care?
• Does VR reduce anxiety and distress compared to standard care?
• Are patients more satisfied with their experience when using VR compared to standard care?

Researchers will compare two groups:

• VR group: Patients will use a VR headset with a guided meditation program (TRIPP) during their vasectomy.
• Control group: Patients will receive standard care (no VR).

Participants will:

• Be randomly assigned to either the VR group or control group.
• Complete brief questionnaires before, during, and after the procedure (about 15-20 minutes each time).
• (VR group only) Use a VR headset during the procedure and provide optional feedback about the experience.

Why is this important? Vasectomies are typically done with local anesthesia (pain relief), but many patients still feel anxiety or discomfort. VR may help distract and relax patients, improving their experience. This study will help health professionals understand if VR could be a useful option for future patients.

Enrollment: 90 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older.
• Can speak and read English.
• Have elected for a vasectomy.
• Are scheduled to undergo their vasectomy under local anesthesia at the Men's Health Clinic

Exclusion criteria

• Those who are not competent to provide informed consent (e.g., due to cognitive impairment).
• Those who are unable to participate in a VR intervention (e.g., due to visual or auditory impairment).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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90 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard Vasectomy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Vasectomy treatment as usual, with local anesthetic, without virtual reality.

Treatment:

Other: Treatment as usual

Virtual Reality Vasectomy

Experimental group

Description:

This group of participants will receive undergo their vasectomy with the virtual reality intervention alongside the local anesthetic.

Treatment:

Device: Virtual reality (VR) guided meditation therapy