Utilization of Virtual Reality to Increase Comfort and Reduce Procedural Distress During Port Insertion Into the Body

NCT ID: NCT06927804

Last Updated: 2025-12-19

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This randomised controlled study evaluates whether virtual reality (VR) can support patient comfort and help reduce anxiety and stress during subcutaneous venous port implantation in adult oncology patients. Patients will be assigned to standard care or standard care with VR intervention.

Subjective and objective measures of stress and discomfort will be collected, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for self-reported procedural discomfort, physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, variability), the STAI-6 questionnaire, and salivary cortisol.

The study aims to explore the potential of VR as a non-pharmacological, immersive tool to improve procedural experience and reduce psychological distress in patients undergo-ing minor oncological procedures.

Detailed Description

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The implantation of a subcutaneous venous port is a minor surgical procedure that has become a routine component of oncological care. It is indicated in cases where the expected duration of systemic treatment exceeds six months and where there is a significant risk of damage to the peripheral venous system due to chemotherapy.

Although generally well tolerated, the procedure is invasive and often associated with varying degrees of psychological stress, discomfort, and procedural anxiety. It is performed under local anaesthesia, often accompanied by mild sedation, and typically lasts about 60 minutes.

The application of virtual reality (VR) during such procedures represents a non-pharmacological approach that may help mitigate psychological stress and procedural discomfort by immersing the patient in a calming, engaging virtual environment. VR-based distraction techniques have previously been shown to promote relaxation and improve perceived comfort in various clinical settings.

The aim of this randomised study is to assess the impact of immersive VR on patient comfort, anxiety, and stress during venous port implantation in adult oncology patients.

Two study arms will be compared:

* control group (standard care with local anaesthesia and optional symptomatic sedation)
* VR group (standard care with the addition of immersive VR during the procedure)

Discomfort Assessment: Procedural discomfort will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), administered in a standardised three-point timeline:

* 30 minutes before the procedure
* during the procedure (at a predefined time point)
* 30 minutes after the procedure

Physiological indicators associated with stress and procedural discomfort will also be recorded at these same time points:

* blood pressure
* heart rate
* heart rate variability

Measurements will follow standardized protocols and consistent conditions.

Anxiety and Stress Evaluation: Psychological stress and anxiety will be assessed using both subjective and objective measures:

* STAI-6 questionnaire administered 30 minutes before and after the procedure
* Salivary cortisol collected before the procedure (baseline), midway through, and 30 minutes after

Conditions

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Oncology Patients

Keywords

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Virtual reality subcutaneous venous port anxiety stress pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This interventional study compares two approaches to subcutaneous venous port implantation in adult oncology patients: standard care versus standard care with the use of immersive virtual reality to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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VR Group

In patients randomized in this study arm, a virtual reality device will be used during the subcutaneous port implantation procedure.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual reality intervention

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A virtual reality device will be used in one study arm during the implantation of the subcutaneous port.

Non-VR Group

In patients randomized in this study arm, no virtual reality device will be used during the subcutaneous port implantation procedure.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Care (in control arm)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Patients in this study arm will receive standard care, without the use of VR.

Interventions

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Virtual reality intervention

A virtual reality device will be used in one study arm during the implantation of the subcutaneous port.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Standard Care (in control arm)

Patients in this study arm will receive standard care, without the use of VR.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patients \> 18 years of age
* Signed Informed Consent Form
* Patients Indicated for oncology treatment administration using subcutaneous port

Exclusion Criteria

* Not signing of the Informed Consent Form
* Patients \< 18 years of age
* Patients unsuitable for subcutaneous port implantation
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University Hospital Ostrava

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Lukáš Knybel, Ing., PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital Ostrava

Locations

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University Hospital Ostrava

Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czechia

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Czechia

Central Contacts

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Jiří Hynčica

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 0042059737

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Jiří Hynčica

Role: primary

References

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Gokce E, Arslan S. Effects of virtual reality and acupressure interventions on pain, anxiety, vital signs and comfort in catheter extraction processes for patients undergoing coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Pract. 2023 Dec;29(6):e13176. doi: 10.1111/ijn.13176. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37403339 (View on PubMed)

Menekli T, Yaprak B, Dogan R. The Effect of Virtual Reality Distraction Intervention on Pain, Anxiety, and Vital Signs of Oncology Patients Undergoing Port Catheter Implantation: A Randomized Controlled Study. Pain Manag Nurs. 2022 Oct;23(5):585-590. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2022.03.004. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35367144 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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LERCO Research Project

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

FNO-ONK-VIREPO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id