Effect of Virtual Reality on treatment experience with carpal tunnel - & triggerfingerrelease: a randomized controlled trial

Rationale: Patients undergoing wide awake local anesthetic surgery often experience pain and anxiety during the procedure. Due to the pain and anxiety, patients are often stressed and hesitant in undergoing wide awake surgery. The use of virtual reality (VR) has potential in various aspects in medicine as multiple studies showed promising results in terms of pain and anxiety.
Objective: the aim of our study is to investigate what the effect is of virtual reality use during wide awake local anesthetic tourniquet & non-tourniquet surgery on both patient reported experience outcome (PREMS), patient reported treatment outcomes (PROMS) as well as objective outcomes in patients treated for their Trigger Finger or Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Study design: Single blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Study population: All patients who visited the outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with either carpal tunnel syndrome or triggerfiger of a single digit and suitable for undergoing wide awake local anesthetic surgery were asked to participate in this study.
Intervention (if applicable): After allocation to either the VR group or the control group, the VR group received a VR goggle with headphones.
Main study parameters/endpoints: Multiple outcomes were measured, of which all were measured both peri-operatively, direct post-operatively as well as 2 weeks post-operatively. We divided the outcome measures in three groups: Patient reported outcomes (PROMS), Patient reported experience outcomes (PREMS) and objective outcomes.
Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Risks: No risks are associated with participation. Patients may get nausea or sea sickness due to the VR goggles.
Burden: Patients are asked to fill in questionnaires direct after procedure and at follow-up appointment at 2 weeks.

Virtual reality goggles during wide awake local anesthetic surgery improves patient experience and reduces stress and anxiety

During operation, direct after operation and 2 weeks after operation

After allocation to either the VR group or the control group, the VR group received a VR goggle with headphones. During the procedure, each patient had the option to select their own preferable VR movie clip. The options ranged from scenery in wild forests to historical cities. The control group received routine standard care.