Satisfaction and tolerability using virtual reality (VR) as adjunctive treatment during flexible bronchoscopy: a randomized control trial

• Published in: BMC pulmonary medicine Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 10
• Main Authors: Sooriyaghandan, Ian Victor, Mohamad Jailaini, Mas Fazlin, Nik Abeed, Nik Nuratiqah, Ng, Boon Hau, Yu-Lin, Andrea Ban, Shah, Shamsul Azhar, Abdul Hamid, Mohamed Faisal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 10.01.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Anxiety; Bronchoscopy; Bronchoscopy - adverse effects; Cough; Evaluation; Flexible bronchoscopy; Health aspects; Humans; Methods; Pain; Patient Satisfaction; Satisfaction; Tolerability; Virtual Reality; Virtual reality (VR) device; Malaysia; Flexible bronchoscopy; Tolerability; Virtual reality (VR) device; Satisfaction
• ISSN: 1471-2466; 1471-2466
• DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02304-y

Patient comfort during invasive and therapeutic procedures is important. The use of virtual reality (VR) devices during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) as a method of distraction to increase patient tolerability and improve satisfaction has not been investigated. We aim to assess the satisfaction and tolerability of participants undergoing FB with or without VR. This was a single-center, open-label study on patients undergoing bronchoscopy, randomized into the control and interventional (VR) groups. The control group received standard care during FB. The interventional group was given a VR device during FB showing nature videos with soothing instrumental music. Pain, breathlessness, and cough were evaluated using a 10 cm visual analogue scale administered before and after FB. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Satisfaction questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) was given to participants post FB. Eighty participants enrolled, 40 in each arm. Median (IQR) satisfaction score in the VR group was 5.0 (3.0-5.0), and in the control group was 4.0 (3.0-5.0); (p < 0.001). Breathlessness, cough, and anxiety post FB were significantly less severe in the interventional group (p = 0.042, p = 0.001, p < 0.001), but the pain was not significantly different (p = 0.290). VR used during FB led to better participants' satisfaction and tolerability (breathlessness and cough). There was a significantly lower anxiety score in the VR group.