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Integration of Virtual Reality as analgesia for Trans-rectal Ultrasound prostate biopsy (TRUS): a randomized prospective study

Effect of Virtual Reality as analgesia for Trans-rectal Ultrasound prostate biopsy (TRUS) on pain severity: a randomized prospective study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12620000648921
Enrollment
60
Registered
2020-06-04
Start date
2020-08-01
Completion date
2022-08-01
Last updated
2021-11-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Aim: To determine if virtual reality technology will act as an analgesic aid to improve patient satisfaction during TRUS biopsy Hypothesis: If virtual reality technology is used at the time of routine TRUS biopsy procedures, there will be an improved patient levels of pain, anxiety and overall satisfaction. Brief Method: Men will be consented then randomly allocated to Virtual Reality (VR) intervention group or control group. Routine TRUS procedure under local anaesthetic will take place with no procedural change in the way samples are collected in both groups. However, the intervention group will wear a VR headset with distraction environment VR software. They will then watch a VR movie for the duration of the procedure. Prior to the procedure in each group, men will complete a standardized questionnaire about their expectations of the procedure. This will include questions relating to pain, anxiety and overall expectation. After the procedure, patients will complete the same questionnaire investigating their pain, anxiety, VR response (if applicable) and overall satisfaction.

Interventions

In an outpatient clinic the patient presenting for a TRUS biopsy will wear a Virtual Reality (VR) headset and watch a movie for the duration of the biopsy preocedure, duration estimated at 10-15minutes. The software for the movie will be a distraction application used on other similar studies. It will not require movement or active particpation in the VR environment, but merely passively watching the VR movie. The procedure will be carried out by a urology consultant or registrar with a urology

In an outpatient clinic the patient presenting for a TRUS biopsy will wear a Virtual Reality (VR) headset and watch a movie for the duration of the biopsy preocedure, duration estimated at 10-15minutes. The software for the movie will be a distraction application used on other similar studies. It will not require movement or active particpation in the VR environment, but merely passively watching the VR movie. The procedure will be carried out by a urology consultant or registrar with a urology nurse assisting. The biopsy procedure itself will not alter, it will be a standard ultrasound guided transrectal biopsy of the prostate and use local anesthetic.

Sponsors

University of Otago
Lead SponsorUniversity

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
Male
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Patient presenting for TRUS biopsy as per New Zealand ministry of health referral guidelines for diagnosing possible prostate cancer i.e raised PSA, abnormal prostate exam

Exclusion criteria

Severe cognitive impairment, severe visual impairment

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026