Virtual Reality in Manual Vacuum Aspiration
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual reality as a distraction technique for the management of acute pain and anxiety during manual vacuum aspiration for miscarriage
IRAS ID
271029
Contact name
Nandita Deo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 27 days
Research summary
This study will look at the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) for the management of pain and anxiety during manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for miscarriage.
Many simple gynaecological procedures can be performed in an outpatient setting without the need for general anaesthesia. Outpatient gynaecological procedures can reduce risks of general anaesthetic, decrease health care costs and make the procedure more convenient for the patient and provider. However, ensuring adequate pain relief and allaying anxiety during the procedure can prove to be challenging.
Miscarriage occurs in approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies. The surgical management options include MVA which can be performed without general anaesthesia. One of the biggest challenges to patient acceptability of MVA is adequate pain relief during and after the procedure.
There has been limited research done on the role of distraction techniques in pain management in outpatient gynaecological procedures. VR is a relatively new intervention, which has been studied as a non-pharmacological method for pain relief. VR as a form of managing pain has been studied in paediatrics, dentistry,burns treatment and treatment of chronic pain.
The study will be conducted at Whipps Cross Hospital in the emergency gynaecology unit over a period of 6months. All patients attending for MVA will be invited to participate. 20 patients will be recruited and will watch a VR headset during the MVA procedure. The patients will fill in a questionnaire before and after the MVA and will have a semi-structured interview around their VR experience. The clinician and nurse supporting the clinic will complete a questionnaire around feasibility of VR.
Aim:
The feasibility of VR for management of acute pain and anxiety in MVA. If found to be of benefit, giving the patient a range of options will increase the number of successful procedures in the outpatient setting and improve patient experience.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0069
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion