No anxiety or pain reduction by Virtual Reality during oocyte retrieval in IVF/ICSI treatment: results of a randomized controlled trial.
| Title: | No anxiety or pain reduction by Virtual Reality during oocyte retrieval in IVF/ICSI treatment: results of a randomized controlled trial. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | van Haaps AP; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Schreurs AMF; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Rosielle K; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Mijatovic V; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Kallewaard JW; Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Anesthesiology, Rijnstate Ziekenhuis, Arnhem, The Netherlands.; Dreyer K; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. |
| Source: | Human reproduction (Oxford, England) [Hum Reprod] 2026 Jan 01; Vol. 41 (1), pp. 39-49. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8701199 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1460-2350 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 02681161 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Hum Reprod Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press; Original Publication: Oxford ; Washington, DC : Published for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology by IRL Press, [c1986- |
| MeSH Terms: | Oocyte Retrieval*/psychology ; Oocyte Retrieval*/methods ; Oocyte Retrieval*/adverse effects ; Anxiety*/prevention & control ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*/psychology ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*/methods ; Fertilization in Vitro*/methods ; Fertilization in Vitro*/psychology ; Pain Management*/methods ; Pain*/prevention & control ; Virtual Reality*; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Pain Measurement ; Procedural Sedation |
| Abstract: | Study Question: What is the effect of Virtual Reality (VR) on anxiety and pain during oocyte retrieval in IVF/ICSI treatment?; Summary Answer: There is no significant effect of VR on anxiety and pain during oocyte retrieval in IVF/ICSI treatment.; What Is Known Already: Patients undergoing oocyte retrieval in IVF/ICSI treatment often experience anxiety and pain, despite conscious sedation. VR might offer a solution since it has been successful in reducing procedural anxiety and pain during medical procedures, with the potential to replace standard analgesic care.; Study Design, Size, Duration: A single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted between February 2023 and August 2024. Due to the nature of the intervention, the study was not blinded.; Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Patients undergoing oocyte retrieval as part of IVF/ICSI treatment were screened. After providing informed consent, participants were randomized between oocyte retrieval with VR added to conscious sedation and oocyte retrieval with conscious sedation only. When assigned to the intervention group, patients received the VR intervention through a head-mounted device, showing nature films and relaxation exercises. This was added to standard care which includes analgesia and sedatives. Sounds were delivered through the head-mounted device or headphones. The primary outcome was pre- and post-procedural anxiety, measured using the STAI questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included procedural pain (NRS, scale 0-10), satisfaction scores (NRS, scale 0-10), VR preferences, and side effects.; Main Results and the Role of Chance: There were 113 participants included: 57 in the intervention group receiving VR and 56 in the control group not receiving VR. We observed no differences between the intervention and control groups in pre-procedural anxiety (mean difference (MD) 0.14 (95% CI -1.78, 2.05), P = 0.885), post-procedural anxiety (MD 0.45 (95% CI -1.21, 2.11), P = 0.589), overall pain (MD -0.12 (95% CI -0.97, 0.73), P = 0.779), and peak pain (MD 0.59 (-0.51, 1.68), P = 0.287).; Limitations, Reasons for Caution: VR might only be effective for a certain group of patients undergoing retrieval, or might be more effective in reducing pre-procedural anxiety, which in turn might lead to a reduction in procedural pain. Furthermore, it might reduce pain up to a certain threshold, or be effective when the duration of the procedure is short.; Wider Implications of the Findings: Since VR does not affect anxiety and pain for the general patient population undergoing oocyte retrieval, we do not advise incorporating VR to standard IVF/ICSI anxiety and pain management. For future studies, it is important to investigate which subgroup could benefit from VR and how it could be implemented to study interventions from a non-pharmacological approach. Patient preferences regarding anxiety and pain management during IVF/ICSI treatment should be considered.; Study Funding/competing Interest(s): External funding from ZonMw (Grant number 838002978), the Implementation and Scale-up Coaching, and the Eggcelent Change grant from Theramex have been received for this study to cover the costs of the VR devices. A.P.v.H. and K.R. report to have received a travel grant from Merck to visit ESHRE 2022. A.M.F.S. reports to have been an invited speaker at ESHRE where travel and hotel costs are covered. V.M. reports to have received institutional research grants from Guerbet, Merck, and Ferring. He has received travel and speaker's fees from Guerbet. J.W.K. reports to be on the Advisory board of Boston Scientific, Saluda, Nevro, Abbott, and Medtronic, and received consulting fees from these organizations. He is a board member of the BNS. KD reports to have received an institutional research grant from Guerbet, a speaker's fee from Guerbet, and financial support to attend meetings by Merck and Guerbet.; Trial Registration Number: NCT05555498.; Trial Registration Date: 26 September 2022.; Date of First Patient’s Enrolment: 7 February 2023.; (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.) |
| References: | Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2023;65:309-336. (PMID: 36592274); Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 May;293(5):1137-45. (PMID: 26884350); Front Psychol. 2021 Oct 11;12:727250. (PMID: 34707538); J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2023 Jul 1;27(3):223-229. (PMID: 37166026); Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Sep 05;9:CD012692. (PMID: 31486548); Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2009 Oct;9(5):393-5. (PMID: 19817520); BJOG. 2021 Jan;128(1):87-95. (PMID: 32575151); J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 20;12(3):. (PMID: 36769490); PLoS One. 2013 May 23;8(5):e63743. (PMID: 23717472); Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X. 2019 Jun 15;4:100065. (PMID: 31517299); J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2022 Jun;51(6):102394. (PMID: 35487403); Ann Surg. 2017 Jun;265(6):1068-1073. (PMID: 27906757); Iran J Med Sci. 2015 May;40(3):219-24. (PMID: 25999621); J Med Internet Res. 2020 Nov 2;22(11):e17980. (PMID: 33136055); Clin Biochem. 2018 Dec;62:2-10. (PMID: 29555319); J Clin Med. 2023 May 24;12(11):. (PMID: 37297840); BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Mar 15;16:94. (PMID: 26979458); World Neurosurg. 2022 Nov;167:37-43. (PMID: 35977681); Pain Pract. 2015 Jun;15(5):487-95. (PMID: 24725465); Otol Neurotol. 2021 Aug 1;42(7):967-977. (PMID: 33782257); Hosp Technol Ser. 1994;13(18):1-48. (PMID: 10172193); J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2018 Nov 7;100(21):1811-1818. (PMID: 30399075); Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Apr 12;4:CD005289. (PMID: 33844275); Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Feb;31(2):313-8. (PMID: 22981626); Neuromodulation. 2023 Jul;26(5):1015-1022. (PMID: 36604242); Indian J Anaesth. 2009 Aug;53(4):408-13. (PMID: 20640202); J Patient Exp. 2020 Dec;7(6):1642-1647. (PMID: 33457625); Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009 Jun;105(3):201-5. (PMID: 19249049); Scott Med J. 2024 May;69(2):37-44. (PMID: 38449359); Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 30;(8):CD010550. (PMID: 23990351); J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Nov;19(6):712-8. (PMID: 16268876); PLoS One. 2018 Jul 27;13(7):e0200987. (PMID: 30052655); BMJ Open. 2022 Mar 30;12(3):e057132. (PMID: 35354629); J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022 Jul;42(5):802-808. (PMID: 34985372); J Patient Exp. 2021 Apr 18;8:23743735211007834. (PMID: 34179424); Patient Educ Couns. 2016 Aug;99(8):1355-61. (PMID: 27050107); Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2023 Jul;286:5-9. (PMID: 37156133); J Pain Res. 2023 Jun 29;16:2227-2239. (PMID: 37404226); JMIR Ment Health. 2024 Jan 30;11:e48649. (PMID: 38289673); Reprod Biomed Online. 2023 Mar;46(3):623-630. (PMID: 36702643); Sci Rep. 2024 Jul 3;14(1):15320. (PMID: 38961132); JMIR Form Res. 2023 Mar 3;7:e29480. (PMID: 36867439); Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021 Jun;261:134-138. (PMID: 33932684); Hum Reprod. 2024 Sep 1;39(9):1987-1995. (PMID: 38863305); Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2005 Aug;18(4):428-30. (PMID: 16534270) |
| Grant Information: | 838002978 Netherlands ZONMW_ ZonMw |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: IVF/ICSI treatment; Virtual Reality; anxiety relief; oocyte retrieval; pain relief; patient satisfaction |
| Molecular Sequence: | ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05555498 |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251007 Date Completed: 20260106 Latest Revision: 20260127 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12769444 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/humrep/deaf193 |
| PMID: | 41057042 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial