Objective: To summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of virtual reality technology (VRT), as used by patients, for reducing pain during outpatient hysteroscopy.
Data sources: Electronic databases and clinical registers were searched until June 21, 2023. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO before the data extraction (CRD42023434340).
Methods of study selection: We included RCTs of patients receiving VRT compared with controls receiving routine care during outpatient hysteroscopy.
Tabulation, integration, and results: The primary outcome was average pain during hysteroscopy. Pooled results were expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Sources of heterogeneity were investigated through sensitivity and subgroups analysis. Five RCTs were included (435 participants). The comparison between the intervention and control groups showed a borderline difference in perceived pain during hysteroscopy (MD -0.88, 95% CI -1.77 to 0.01). Subgroup analysis based on the type of VRT (active or passive) indicated that active VRT potentially reduced the perception of pain (MD -1.42, 95% CI -2.21 to -0.62), whereas passive VRT had no effect (MD -0.06, 95% CI -1.15 to 1.03).
Conclusion: Patients' use of active VRT may be associated with a reduction in pain during outpatient hysteroscopy (evidence Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation 2/4). Future research should focus on conducting methodologically robust studies with larger sample sizes and more homogeneous populations.
Keywords: Adverse events; Anxiety; Hysteroscopy; Meta-analysis; Nonpharmacologic pain relief; Outpatient setting; Randomized controlled trial; Suspension rate; Virtual reality technology.
Copyright © 2023 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.