Translating Virtual Reality Research Evidence Into Clinical Practice During Colonoscopy Procedures

Colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States (US) is the fourth leading cause of cancer- related deaths. In Puerto Rico (PR), the incidence and mortality rate of CRC is higher (41% and 14%) in comparison to the mainland US (38% and 13%). To reduce mortality, receiving a colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for early detection. Yet Puerto Ricans are less likely to adhere to this recommendation than individuals in the mainland US (52% vs. 65%).

Fear of acute pain may contribute to this reluctance despite the administration of sedation and analgesia during the procedure. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's recommended current standard of practice is to administer opioids and benzodiazepines to achieve minimal and/or moderate sedation during a colonoscopy procedure. Because patients still have conscious awareness, adding an effective pain distraction tool, such a virtual reality (VR), to their pharmacological standard of care during this short procedure could improve outcomes through decreased opioid and anxiolytic administration.

Strong evidence supports VR's effectiveness to distract patients from acute pain during brief medical procedures. To address this translational gap from research to clinical practice within a Hispanic oncology population receiving colonoscopies, an implementation science (IS) framework will be utilized to measure: reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. RE-AIM is an IS framework that systematically measures and supports sustainable adoption and implementation of evidence-based interventions into clinical practice. The purpose of this IS study will be to evaluate the translation of VR into clinical practice for patients during a CRC screening colonoscopy.