%0 Journal Article
%T Patients' Use of Virtual Reality Technology for Pain Reduction during Outpatient Hysteroscopy: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
%A Vitagliano A
%A Dellino M
%A Favilli A
%A D' Amato A
%A Nicolì P
%A Laganà AS
%A Noventa M
%A Bochicchio MA
%A Cicinelli E
%A Damiani GR
%J J Minim Invasive Gynecol
%V 30
%N 11
%D 2023 11 29
%M 37648150
%F 4.314
%R 10.1016/j.jmig.2023.08.427
%X To summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of virtual reality technology (VRT), as used by patients, for reducing pain during outpatient hysteroscopy.<BR>Electronic databases and clinical registers were searched until June 21, 2023. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO before the data extraction (CRD42023434340).<BR>We included RCTs of patients receiving VRT compared with controls receiving routine care during outpatient hysteroscopy.<BR>The primary outcome was average pain during hysteroscopy. Pooled results were expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Sources of heterogeneity were investigated through sensitivity and subgroups analysis. Five RCTs were included (435 participants). The comparison between the intervention and control groups showed a borderline difference in perceived pain during hysteroscopy (MD -0.88, 95% CI -1.77 to 0.01). Subgroup analysis based on the type of VRT (active or passive) indicated that active VRT potentially reduced the perception of pain (MD -1.42, 95% CI -2.21 to -0.62), whereas passive VRT had no effect (MD -0.06, 95% CI -1.15 to 1.03).<BR>Patients' use of active VRT may be associated with a reduction in pain during outpatient hysteroscopy (evidence Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation 2/4). Future research should focus on conducting methodologically robust studies with larger sample sizes and more homogeneous populations.