Use of VR for Diagnostic Hysteroscopy

NCT ID: NCT07173231

Last Updated: 2025-09-15

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

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

45 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-30

Study Completion Date

2026-03-31

Brief Summary

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Background: Hysteroscopy (HSC) is a minimally invasive gynecological procedure that is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing and treating intrauterine pathologies. In recent years, its use in outpatient settings for diagnosis has grown significantly due to its efficiency, low complication rate, and good patient acceptability. However, many patients still report significant pain and anxiety during the procedure. Despite advances in instrumentation and technique, pain remains a key reason for procedural failure, often worsened by preprocedural anxiety. While pharmacological strategies can be used to address this issue, they are not always suitable due to lack of effectiveness or feasibility. As a result, non-pharmacological approaches such as virtual reality (VR) and hypnosis are being increasingly explored. VR has shown potential in reducing pain and anxiety during medical procedures, and its combination with hypnosis may offer enhanced benefits, though current evidence is limited.

Objective: This pilot study aims to assess the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (IVR) and Hypno-VR (HVR) in managing pain and anxiety during diagnostic HSC and to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of both IVR and HVR interventions in an outpatient clinical setting.

Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will follow a three-arm parallel design to compare: 1- standard care, 2- IVR + standard care, and 3- HVR + standard care, during diagnostic HSC. A total of 45 participants (15/arm) will be recruited from the CHU Sainte-Justine's gynecology clinic and randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Primary outcomes will concern feasibility and acceptability including satisfaction of both patients and healthcare professionals. Secondary outcomes will assess self-reported pain and anxiety, physiological responses, procedure duration, procedure failure, and conversion rate from the "no-touch" vaginoscopy technique to traditional tools like the speculum and tenaculum. Demographic characteristics will also be explored as potential moderators of intervention effectiveness.

Results/Conclusion: This pilot study will provide preliminary data on the effects of IVR and HVR on procedural pain and anxiety during diagnostic HSC. It will also assess the feasibility and the acceptability of integrating these interventions into an outpatient setting. The findings will provide essential data in preparation for a larger clinical trial

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Hysteroscopy Anxiety Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This pilot RCT study is mainly designed to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, design and procedures. Therefore, we did not calculate a specific sample size to detect statistically significant differences. Instead, a convenience sample of 45 participants (15 per group) was selected based on established recommendations for pilot studies, which suggest that 12 participants per arm is adequate to evaluate feasibility and provide preliminary results for planning a future clinical trial (Julious, 2005). The sample size was also determined based on practical considerations related to the recruitment capacity and the study resources, as each group will include approximately 15 participants, representing about 30% of the 150 diagnostic hysteroscopy procedures performed annually at the CHU Sainte-Justine.
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Immersive Virtual Reality Distraction (IVR)

Use of IVR during diagnostic hysteroscopy

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Immersive Virtual Reality Distraction (IVR)

Intervention Type DEVICE

The first experimental group will receive the INSPIRE® IVR intervention in addition to usual care. Developed by Paperplane Therapeutics®, INSPIRE® is specifically designed to help manage pain and anxiety in clinical settings. This intervention integrates immersive virtual environments with sensor-guided deep breathing techniques to engage the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation. Within a calming forest environment, participants are guided to synchronize their breathing with the movement of a feather, encouraging breath control and relaxation. The immersive experience is enhanced through personalized therapeutic content and calming visual and auditory stimuli, helping to reduce anxiety while minimizing the risk of cybersickness. This program has been endorsed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Hypno-Virtual Reality distraction (HVR)

Use of HVR during diagnostic hysteroscopy

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Hypno-Virtual Reality Distraction (HVR)

Intervention Type DEVICE

The second experimental group will receive the HVR intervention in addition to usual care. This intervention, developed by HypnoVR, consists of a VR visual scenario combined with hypnotic verbal guidance specifically designed to reduce pain and anxiety during medical procedures. It is delivered through a validated and clinically approved HVR headset. The intervention includes reassuring and calming verbal suggestions aimed at helping participants regulate their emotions and manage anxiety throughout the procedure. Participants will be able to choose from 11 different visual scenarios, select their preferred language, and choose between a male or female voice for the hypnotic guidance. 6 different musical soundtracks will also be available to personalize the experience more.

Usual Care Treatment

Standard protocol offered at CHU Ste-Justine's Hospital before a diagnostic hysteroscopy procedure

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Usual Care Group

Intervention Type OTHER

The usual care group will only receive the standard preparation, which includes pre-treatment with Tylenol (1000mg) , Naproxen (500mg) and Ativan (1 mg) administered one hour prior to the procedure.

Interventions

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Immersive Virtual Reality Distraction (IVR)

The first experimental group will receive the INSPIRE® IVR intervention in addition to usual care. Developed by Paperplane Therapeutics®, INSPIRE® is specifically designed to help manage pain and anxiety in clinical settings. This intervention integrates immersive virtual environments with sensor-guided deep breathing techniques to engage the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation. Within a calming forest environment, participants are guided to synchronize their breathing with the movement of a feather, encouraging breath control and relaxation. The immersive experience is enhanced through personalized therapeutic content and calming visual and auditory stimuli, helping to reduce anxiety while minimizing the risk of cybersickness. This program has been endorsed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Hypno-Virtual Reality Distraction (HVR)

The second experimental group will receive the HVR intervention in addition to usual care. This intervention, developed by HypnoVR, consists of a VR visual scenario combined with hypnotic verbal guidance specifically designed to reduce pain and anxiety during medical procedures. It is delivered through a validated and clinically approved HVR headset. The intervention includes reassuring and calming verbal suggestions aimed at helping participants regulate their emotions and manage anxiety throughout the procedure. Participants will be able to choose from 11 different visual scenarios, select their preferred language, and choose between a male or female voice for the hypnotic guidance. 6 different musical soundtracks will also be available to personalize the experience more.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Usual Care Group

The usual care group will only receive the standard preparation, which includes pre-treatment with Tylenol (1000mg) , Naproxen (500mg) and Ativan (1 mg) administered one hour prior to the procedure.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Minimum 18 years old
* Speak and read French or English
* Scheduled to undergo a diagnostic hysteroscopy

Exclusion Criteria

* Having a diagnosis of epilepsy
* Recent ophthalmologic surgery (\< 1month) or any ophtalmologic problems that could interfere with the patient's ability to use the VR technology
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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St. Justine's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Sylvie Le May

Principal investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Sylvie Le May PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

St. Justine's Hospital

Central Contacts

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Sylvie Le May PhD

Role: CONTACT

5143454931 ext. 4938

References

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Other Identifiers

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VR-HYSTERO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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