The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) to Reduce Pain and Anxiety During Genitourinary (GU) Scans
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Urologic Diseases
- Sponsor
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Enrollment
- 410
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Pain during VCUG - Pain Visual Analog Scale
- Status
- Active, Not Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to test the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain and anxiety in children undergoing voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). A voiding cystourethrogram is a genitourinary diagnostic scan that provides important urological information, specifically the filling and releasing of the bladder. This information can help diagnose urological issues in children. However, this procedure requires catheterization, which is understood to be a painful and anxiety-provoking procedure. This study will test the effectiveness of VR as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to relieve pain and anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing VCUGs.
Detailed Description
Background: VCUGs are genitourinary diagnostic scans that provide valuable medical information for pediatric patients with urological issues. However, these scans require catheterization, which can be anxiety-provoking, painful, and in some cases traumatic. Previous studies have assessed the use of pharmacological agents to address pain and anxiety during these procedures, but few studies exist examining non-pharmacological interventions in a methodologically rigorous way. As pharmacological interventions are associated with numerous side effects, and may not be appropriate for all pediatric patients, effective non-pharmacological interventions are needed for patients undergoing VCUGs. Aims: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain and anxiety among children undergoing VCUGs at CHLA. This study will also assess patient, parent, and provider satisfaction with VR, and ease of completing VCUGs using VR vs. the standard of care. Study Population: CHLA patients aged 5-21 years receiving VCUGs at CHLA. Methods: A stratified randomization scheme will be used to assign patients aged 5-21 undergoing VCUG scans to receive the standard of care (i.e. caregiver presence in the room and Child Life Specialists in the room if desired), or the standard of care plus VR. Individuals assigned to the VR arm will be fitted with a Samsung head-tracking system, and will play an AppliedVR game prior to and during catheterization. Standardized questionnaires will be administered to patients and caregivers before and after the procedure to measure pain and anxiety. Satisfaction questionnaires will be administered post-procedure. Significance: VR is a non-invasive intervention that, if effective, could become part of a standard protocol to reduce pain and anxiety among children undergoing VCUGs. As there is a dearth of knowledge regarding non-pharmacologic interventions for children receiving VCUGs, this study will provide a foundation to inform future research on VR use among pediatric urology patients. See 'References' for Brief Summary References
Investigators
Andy Y. Chang
Attending Physician; Vice Chief, Division of Pediatric Urology
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Exclusion Criteria
- •Child is currently taking pain medication or anxiolytic medication, including midazolam
- •Child has a psychiatric disorder (i.e. anxiety, psychotic, thought disorder), organic brain syndrome, intellectual disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or other known cognitive/neurological disorder
- •Child has visual, auditory, or tactile deficit that would interfere with the ability to complete the experimental tasks
- •Child has a history of seizure disorder
- •Child is currently sick with flu-like symptoms or experiencing a headache or earache
- •Child has known or suspected motion sickness
- •Child catheterizes regularly or has an insensate urethra
- •Languages other than English and Spanish will be excluded given that the proposed measures have not been standardized for use in other languages.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Pain during VCUG - Pain Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG, and within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.
Participant levels of pain will be assessed using the Pain Visual Analog Scale (min. score = 0; max. score = 100. Higher score = higher pain)
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Anxiety during VCUG - Facial Affective Scale(Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG, and within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.)
- Baseline Anxiety before VCUG - Anxiety Sensitivity Index(Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG.)
- Change in Pain during VCUG - Colored Analog Scale(Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG, and within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.)
- Change in Anxiety during VCUG - Procedural Anxiety Visual Analog Scale(Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG, and within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.)
- Change in Pain during VCUG - Faces Pain Scale-Revised(Will be administered to participants approximately 20 minutes before the start of the VCUG, and within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.)
- Satisfaction with VR(Questionnaires will be administered to participants within 15 minutes following the end of the VCUG.)