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Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 4/2024

02-01-2024 | Hysteroscopy | Review

The effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety management during outpatient hysteroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Saeed Baradwan, Majed Saeed Alshahrani, Rayan AlSghan, Mohammad Alyafi, Rasha Ezzat Elsayed, Faiza Ahmed Abdel-Hakam, Abdelmonsef Abdelghaffar Moustafa, Ayman Esmail Hussien, Othman Saadeldien Yahia, Ahmed Abdelaziz Shama, Amr Ahmed Magdy, Ahmed Mohamed Abdelhakim, Haitham Badran

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 4/2024

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Abstract

Objective

Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) intervention for pain and anxiety relief during outpatient hysteroscopy.

Methods

Various databases were searched for available clinical trials from inception until June 2023. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared virtual reality intervention versus standard care among women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. We used Revman software to perform our meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the pain score during the procedure. The secondary outcomes were anxiety during the procedure and pain post-procedure. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and anxiety.

Results

Six RCTs were retrieved, involving a total of 457 patients. Virtual reality was associated with a significant reduction in pain score during the procedure in comparison with the control group (MD = − 1.43, 95% CI [− 1.69, − 1.16], p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant decrease in anxiety during the procedure among the virtual reality group compared to the control group (p = 0.01). The pain score post-procedure significantly decreased within the virtual reality group (MD = − 1.52, 95% CI [− 1.78, − 1.26], p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Virtual reality technology is a simple, feasible, and effective intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy. More trials are required to confirm our findings.
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Metadata
Title
The effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety management during outpatient hysteroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors
Saeed Baradwan
Majed Saeed Alshahrani
Rayan AlSghan
Mohammad Alyafi
Rasha Ezzat Elsayed
Faiza Ahmed Abdel-Hakam
Abdelmonsef Abdelghaffar Moustafa
Ayman Esmail Hussien
Othman Saadeldien Yahia
Ahmed Abdelaziz Shama
Amr Ahmed Magdy
Ahmed Mohamed Abdelhakim
Haitham Badran
Publication date
02-01-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-023-07319-8

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