Virtual Reality as an Adjunctive Agent for the Management of Pain and Anxiety During First Trimester Procedural Abortion: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Study Investigator
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether use of a virtual reality (VR) headset showing a meditative nature video will help reduce pain and anxiety during a first trimester procedural abortion. Investigators will enroll 72 patients undergoing a first trimester procedural abortion with usual care to manage pain and anxiety compared to use of a VR headset in addition to usual care to see if use of the VR headset will decrease pain and anxiety and increase satisfaction with the procedure.
Description
While procedural abortions are common outpatient procedures, providing optimal pain and anxiety relief during these procedures is challenging. With rapidly developing technological advances, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising modality to help manage pain and anxiety control in the medical field, including obstetrics and gynecology. However, there are no studies evaluating the effect of VR on pain during a procedural abortion. The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to primarily evaluate whether using a VR headset to display a meditative nature video as a noninvasive, low…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania who have decided to undergo and are eligible for a procedural abortion. * 18 years old or older * \<14 weeks gestation on day of abortion * Able to comprehend written English * Willing to comply with the study protocol * Willing and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of vertigo * History of epilepsy * Claustrophobia * Significant hearing or visual impairments (such as deafness or blindness) * Require hearing aids * Have an implanted medical device, such as cardiac pacemaker or defibrilla…
Interventions
- DeviceVR headset
VR Headset: Meta Quest 3S Meditative nature videos provided via "Guided Meditation VR" app.
- OtherUsual Care
Usual care for pain and anxiety management during a first trimester procedural abortion includes oral ibuprofen, intracervical block, and verbal analgesia.
Locations (2)
- Center for Family Planning Research, Magee-Womens HospitalPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Planned Parenthood of Western PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania