The Impact of Virtual Reality on Anxiety and Pain During US-Guided Breast Biopsies: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of immersive virtual reality (VR) in combination with standard local anesthetic for mitigating anxiety and pain during US-guided breast biopsies compared to local anesthetic alone.

Methods: Patients scheduled for US-guided biopsy were invited to participate. Eligible patients were females 18 years of age or older. Patients were randomized to VR or control group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the VR group underwent biopsy with the addition of a VR experience and patients in the control group underwent usual biopsy. Patient-perceived levels of anxiety and pain were collected before and after biopsy via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Physiological data were captured during biopsy using a clinically validated wristband. Differences in anxiety, pain, and physiologic data were compared between the VR and control group.

Results: Sixty patients were enrolled. After excluding 2 patients with VR device malfunction, there were 29 patients in the VR and 29 patients in the control group for analysis. The VR group had reduced anxiety compared to the control group based on postintervention STAI (P <.001) and VAS (P = .036). The VR group did not have lower pain based on postintervention VAS (P = .555). Physiological measures showed higher RR intervals and decreased skin conductance levels, which are associated with lower anxiety levels in the VR group.

Conclusion: Use of VR in addition to standard local anesthetic for US-guided breast biopsies was associated with reduced patient anxiety. Virtual reality may be a useful tool to improve the patient biopsy experience.

Keywords: breast US; breast imaging quality and outcomes; breast pathology; breast procedures; patient and/or provider wellness.