The effect of virtual reality during implantable chamber placement in the operating room in a cancer setting: a randomized pilot study

Introduction: Inserting an implantable port (IP) can be difficult, painful and anxiety-provoking for the patient. Therefore, music therapy, aromatherapy, virtual reality and non-drug techniques are often offered to patients. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the virtual reality helmet during the insertion of an implantable catheter chamber in the operating theatre, on the pain of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Then, as a second objective, to evaluate the effect of virtual reality combined with local anesthesia during this procedure.

Methods: The pilot feasibility study divided the group into the usual procedure under local anesthesia (control group) and the intervention group to whom we added virtual reality (experimental group) over a period of 15 months. Self-reported pain was measured before and after insertion using a simple numerical scale (0-10). Blood pressure was recorded at the time of installation, during the puncture and when the pocket was created for the insertion of the chamber. Results: A total of 76 patients were included in the study. Self-reported pain scores were comparable in the two groups during installation and puncture (p=0.54) and higher during the creation of the lodge in the experimental group (p=0.03). However, blood pressure measurement was lower in the experimental group (p=0.03). Discussion: Pain is complex and personal, and context plays a role. Virtual reality is a method that can be considered digital medicine. It is widely used in healthcare with encouraging results for patients. However, the results of this study do not formally conclude its effectiveness when a CCI is placed in the context of pain from a primary cancer diagnosis. Other studies in this context with virtual reality are to be studied.