Effect of Virtual Reality Distraction on Satisfaction and Tolerability in Patients Undergoing In-Office KTP Laser Procedure.

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of virtual reality (VR) on satisfaction, discomfort, stress, and cooperation in patients undergoing in-office potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser procedure.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this prospective study. The State Anxiety Scale of Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure the level of state anxiety. Satisfaction, discomfort, pain, stress, acceptance of VR, relaxation with VR, and willingness to wear VR were evaluated using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). A 5-point Likert-like scale was used to rate the patient cooperation.

RESULTS

All procedures were completed successfully with cooperation of patients. Satisfaction score in VR group was 88.3 ± 9.0, and in control group was 81.6 ± 9.7 (P = 0.040). There were significant differences in both nasal cavity and laryngopharynx discomfort between two groups (P = 0.030 and P = 0.016, respectively). The pain score of control group was higher than that of VR group but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.140). The stress of control group during procedure was more obvious than that of VR group (30.5 ± 24.0 versus 17.0 ± 9.2, P = 0.021). The mean VAS scores of acceptance of VR were all more than 75. The results of regression analysis showed that VR had significant effects on satisfaction with the procedure (P = 0.004), discomfort of nasal cavity (P = 0.030) and laryngopharynx (P = 0.016), and feeling of stress (P = 0.021) during the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Distraction of VR can enhance satisfaction in both procedure and stress management for patients undergoing in-office KTP laser procedure. Acceptance of VR in VR group was relatively good.