Virtual Reality to Improve Satisfaction in Hysteroscopy Patients

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.