Virtual Reality to Improve Satisfaction in Hysteroscopy Patients (VIP)

University of British Columbia

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Patient Satisfaction; Hysteroscopy; Virtual Reality

Treatments: Device: Oculus Virtual Reality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04862598

H20-03663

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate whether viewing an immersive virtual reality (VR) image through a VR headset during elective hysteroscopy under Registered Nurse (RN) led sedation with fentanyl and midazolam plus local anesthesia (monitored anesthetic care) will improve patient satisfaction with their anesthesia. Patients will be randomized to either receive usual care or usual care plus VR. Satisfaction will be measured by asking patients to complete a post-procedure survey consisting of 11 questions.

Full description

Purpose: To determine whether viewing an immersive VR image (viewed over an Oculus Quest VR headset) during hysteroscopy can improve patient satisfaction with their anesthesia (sedation plus local anesthesia). The VR image used in the study is Cosmic Flow: A Relaxing VR experience, which is freely available from Oculus. The patient will also wear headphones during the study which will play relaxing meditation music.

Hypothesis: The use of immersive VR during elective hysteroscopy under sedation will improve patient satisfaction with their anesthesia by at least 20%, measured using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale.

Justification: Ambulatory hysteroscopy is conducted under general anesthesia or in the established Procedural Sedation Program. The latter involves Registered Nurse (RN) led sedation, consisting of the administration of sedation (midazolam) and analgesia (fentanyl) to reduce discomfort and anxiety. However, these medications have unwanted side-effects such as over-sedation and nausea, which can delay discharge and reduce patient satisfaction with their procedure. To minimize these complications, non-pharmacological therapy is of interest, as it aims to reduce the need and dosage of these medications. Virtual reality is one such non-pharmacological intervention which has been trialled in several settings, and has been shown to have beneficial effects on pain and anxiety during procedures such as wound dressing changes, upper GI endoscopies and dental procedures. Virtual reality use in the healthcare setting is currently in an early phase of research, and more study is needed on effects of VR on precise outcomes such as patient satisfaction, which is an important marker for quality in healthcare.

Objectives: The objective is to study patient reported satisfaction with their anesthesia (sedation plus local anesthesia) when they receive standard care to when they receive standard care plus viewing an immersive VR image during their hysteroscopy procedure.

Research Design: This is a randomized controlled trial involving data collection before, during and after the hysteroscopy procedure.

Statistical Analysis: The primary outcome in change in patient satisfaction scores will be compared using paired t-test. For secondary outcomes, all continuous data will be compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Incidence and proportion outcomes will be analyzed using Fisher exact test.

Enrollment: 192 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 19 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Indications for hysteroscopy under RN-provided sedation

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to provide informed consent to participate in the study (e.g. significant language barrier)
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Chronic benzodiazepine use
• Chronic opioid use
• Presence or history of psychotic psychiatric disorders
• Presence or history of seizure disorders
• Visual acuity <1 with correction
• Hearing impairment requiring correction

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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192 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The patient will be positioned on the operating table and have routine monitoring attached (ECG, blood pressure, O2 saturations, end tidal carbon dioxide monitoring (ETCO2). A surgical safety time out will be performed. The patient will receive routine operative and nursing care. The study team member will record highest and lowest heart rate and blood pressure as well as lowest O2 saturation and the total intra-operative dose of fentanyl and midazolam administered to the patient. At the end of the procedure, the patient is assisted into a wheelchair and will return to the recovery area. After 15 minutes of recovery, a member of the study team will give them the post-operative questionnaires which will consist of answering how anxious they felt during the procedure and the 11 question Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia scale (ISAS). The patient will then be free to leave once they have met the standard discharge criteria.

VR Group

Experimental group

Description:

The patient wears the VR headset after being positioned on the table and the surgical time out has been completed. The VR scene and accompanying music will continue until the end of the procedure or until the patient wishes for it to be removed. The patient will receive standard operative and nursing care. The study team member will record the intra-operative vitals as detailed in the control group procedure. At the end of the procedure, the patient will be moved to recovery and will receive standard care. At 15 minutes, they will be provided with the anxiety questionnaire and the ISAS. Additional questions will be asked; their level of VR immersion and if they would like to receive the VR technology again if they were to undergo another procedure in the future. They will then be free to leave once they have met the standard discharge criteria.

Treatment:

Device: Oculus Virtual Reality