• N Deo, K S Khan, J Mak, J Allotey, F J Gonzalez Carreras, G Fusari, and J Benn.
• Imperial College London, London, UK.
• BJOG. 2021 Jan 1; 128 (1): 87-95.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality as a distraction technique in the management of acute pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy.DesignParallel group, prospective randomised controlled trial.SettingUK University Hospital.MethodsForty consenting, eligible women were randomised to virtual reality intervention (immersive video content as a distraction method) or standard care during outpatient hysteroscopy from August to October 2018.Main Outcome MeasuresPain and anxiety outcomes were measured as a numeric rating score (scale 0-10).ResultsCompared with standard care, women with virtual reality intervention experienced less average pain (score 6.0 versus 3.7, mean difference 2.3, 95% CI 0.61-3.99, P = 0.009) and anxiety (score 5.45 versus 3.3, mean difference 2.15, 95% CI 0.38-3.92, P = 0.02).ConclusionVirtual reality was effective in reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy in a mixed-methods randomised control trial. Its wide potential role in ambulatory gynaecological procedures needs further evaluation.Tweetable AbstractVirtual reality can be used as a part of a multimodal strategy to reduce acute pain and anxiety in patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy.© 2020 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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