Virtual reality distraction during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background and Aim Virtual reality (VR) is an established and effective tool in reducing autonomic and somatic pain. We aimed to examine the analgesic effects of VR distraction during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial and enrolled patients who had indication for unsedated EGD with topical anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to use Oculus GO with three‐dimensional specific software content (standalone VR headset), sham VR or without VR during EGD. The primary outcome was patient pain scores during EGD. Results A total of 96 patients undergoing diagnostic EGD were randomized to receive VR (n = 32), sham VR (n = 32), and no VR defined as the control group (n = 32). Patients in all groups reported no statistically different pain during esophageal intubation. The mean pain score was 2.7 ± 2.4 in the VR group, 2.7 ± 2.5 in the sham VR and 2.3 ± 2.3 in the control group, (P value = 0.751). No significant difference was observed in heart rate and blood pressure, and the endoscopists reported higher overall satisfaction scores in VR (4.3 ± 0.5) compared with the control group (4 ± 0.8) but without significance (P value = 0.156). Conclusion Virtual reality‐assisted anesthesia during EGD did not significantly reduce patient pain during esophageal intubation. There was no superiority in using VR distraction regarding patient's and endoscopist's satisfaction compared with standard EGD without VR Further studies are required to detect any true clinical advantage of VR distraction during EGD.

Use of virtual reality in patient education program to reduce anxiety in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

“…Additionally, there is no advantage to adopting VR distraction over normal EGD without VR in terms of patient and endoscopist satisfaction. 10 There were some limitations in our study. First, the interventions in both arms could not be blinded.…”

“…However, in recent, a randomized controlled trial found that VR‐assisted anesthesia during EGD did not significantly reduce patient pain during esophageal intubation. Additionally, there is no advantage to adopting VR distraction over normal EGD without VR in terms of patient and endoscopist satisfaction 10 …”

“…Additionally, there is no advantage to adopting VR distraction over normal EGD without VR in terms of patient and endoscopist satisfaction. 10 …”

Medical Extended Reality Trials: Building Robust Comparators, Controls, and Sham

“…While there are clearly a host of potential control condition designs, the sham control approach is worth deeper examination due to its popularity and promise. The term "sham" in the XR context has been used to describe a variety of approaches, including headsets with the power off, VR-based simulations of the physical research environment, and 2D content viewed outside of a headset [22][23][24][25][26][27]. Consensus in defining sham versus control in MXR is needed.…”