Virtual reality in surgery: minimizing stress and pain in patients undergoing minor-surgical procedures under local anesthesia-results of a feasibility study

Background: Virtual reality (VR) technology has gained significant importance in medical practice, particularly as an innovative approach to enhance patient experience and comfort. This prospective feasibility study investigates the impact of using VR headsets on stress and pain reduction during port surgeries under local anesthesia.

Methods: In this prospective analysis, patients undergoing port implantation at the Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University Munich were divided into two groups. The intervention group wore VR headsets during the surgical procedure, while the control group did not. Various validated questionnaires were used to measure psychological parameters such as pain perception, stress, calmness, and relaxation. The amount of local anesthesia administered was also documented.

Results: The study results showed that patients in the VR group required significantly less local anesthesia than those in the control group (p = 0.0025). Pain perception in the VR group was significantly lower (p = 0.028). Additionally, self-assessments regarding calmness, relaxation, and satisfaction were significantly improved in the VR group (p < 0.01). A stronger correlation between higher pain catastrophizing scale scores and anesthetic requirements was observed in the VR group, suggesting that VR may offer particular benefits for patients with increased pain sensitivity. Although gender differences were not statistically significant, a trend toward higher anesthetic requirements in male patients was noted. The evaluation of the VR headsets by patients was overwhelmingly positive, indicating high acceptance of the technology.

Discussion: The use of VR headsets during surgical procedures can significantly enhance patient comfort by reducing pain and stress levels. The high patient acceptance and positive evaluations of VR suggest its feasibility for broader clinical application. However, future studies should address potential cognitive biases, compare VR with other distraction methods, and explore its effects on different patient subgroups. Future research should also consider the role of gender-specific factors in the modulation of anesthetic requirements by VR. Additionally, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis will be crucial for assessing the economic viability of VR technology in healthcare.

Conclusion: VR technology represents a promising method to improve patient experience and comfort in surgical settings. The positive outcomes of this study encourage further research to fully capture and validate the potential of VR in medicine, particularly in pain management and stress reduction during various medical procedures.