Use of Perioperative Virtual Reality Experiences on Anxiety and Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial.
Study Goal
To evaluate the effect of VR mindfulness experiences on perioperative anxiety and pain in patients undergoing head and neck surgery.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in anxiety or pain reduction between groups using VR mindfulness preoperatively or postoperatively, with high patient satisfaction and no adverse events. Minor differences in vital sign changes were noted but were not clinically significant.
Population
Patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery (mean age 47.3 years, 65.6% female).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Perioperative period (preoperative and postoperative phases)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
preoperative VR gaming experience and a postoperative VR mindfulness experience | no change | preoperative anxiety | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | median [IQR]: -12.0 [15] vs. -10.5 [13] | no differences in post-intervention preoperative anxiety reduction | #1 |
preoperative VR gaming experience and a postoperative VR mindfulness experience | no change | vital sign changes | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | p < 0.05 | minor differences in vital sign changes | #2 |
postoperative VR use | no change | postoperative pain | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | -8.5 [22.3] vs. -7.5 [19.3] | no differences in post-intervention pain reduction | #3 |
postoperative VR use | no change | vital sign changes | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | p > 0.05 | no differences in vital sign changes | #4 |
VR experiences | no change | questionnaire responses | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | p > 0.05 | no differences in questionnaire responses | #5 |
VR experiences | increase | patient satisfaction | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | - | high satisfaction | #6 |
VR experiences | decrease | perioperative anxiety and pain | patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery | - | appears associated with similar reductions in perioperative anxiety and pain | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different virtual reality (VR) experiences on perioperative anxiety and pain among patients undergoing head and neck surgery. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, comparative trial among patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery from December 2021 to April 2022 at a single academic institution. Group 1 utilized a preoperative VR gaming experience and a postoperative VR mindfulness experience, while Group 2 utilized the same interventions in the reverse order. Anxiety and pain were measured using visual analog scales (VAS). Primary outcomes were changes in post-intervention anxiety and pain. Secondary outcomes included vital sign changes and subjective patient experiences using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: There were 32 patients randomized for inclusion, with 16 patients per group. The majority of patients were female (65.6%) and mean (standard deviation) age was 47.3 (16.7) years. After outlier exclusion, there were no differences in post-intervention preoperative anxiety reduction (Group 1 vs. Group 2, median [IQR]: -12.0 [15] vs. -10.5 [13], p = 0.62). There were minor differences in vital sign changes (p < 0.05). Among the 10 patients in Group 1 and 12 patients in Group 2 who completed postoperative VR use, there were no differences in post-intervention pain reduction (-8.5 [22.3] vs. -7.5 [19.3], p = 0.95) or vital sign changes (p > 0.05). There were no differences in questionnaire responses, with high satisfaction in both groups (p > 0.05). No adverse events encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Use of different VR experiences among patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery appears associated with similar reductions in perioperative anxiety and pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 134:1197-1202, 2024.