OPU-LUX: Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety Management During Oocyte Pick-up - a Randomized Controlled Trial

In vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles are increasingly performed worldwide. Transvaginal oocyte pick-up (OPU) is a painful part of IVF. OPU in polyfollicular IVF is usually performed under sedation and pain relief. In natural cycle IVF or IVF with minimal stimulation OPU is possible without anesthesia. Mostly of the women reported experiencing mild to moderate pain when undergoing OPU without anesthesia. Nevertheless, there is a need for alternative pain treatment options during OPU to reduce the burden of IVF for patients. Virtual reality (VR) may have a role in acutely painful procedures as a non-pharmacological alternative. VR refers to the interactions between an individual and a computer-generated environment stimulating multiple sensory modalities. The immersive, entertaining effects of VR could be useful for redirecting the patient's attention away from painful treatment experiences and reducing anxiety, discomfort, or unpleasantness. Use of VR interventions has been studies in a wider range of medical treatment.