Abstract Study question Does VR technology improve patient experience in terms of nervousness, nausea, pain, and total experience as well as consumption of painkillers during the OPU procedure? Summary answer The use of VR technology seems to have a positive influence on patient experience during OPU. No effect was seen regarding consumption of painkillers. What is known already In recent years, the VR technology has received increasing attention for its suggested calming and pain-relieving effect during medical procedures. Thus, a previous study using VR technology in women undergoing hysteroscopy showed a significant difference in anxiety compared to women not using VR. We previously performed a small pilot study in patients undergoing OPU. That study suggested that VR technology had a positive effect on patients before OPU in terms of level of relaxation and stress. Importantly, in the pilot project patients solely used the VR technology before the OPU procedure. Study design, size, duration This RCT included a cohort of 100 IVF/ICSI patients undergoing OPU. Patients were computer randomized into two groups: an intervention group (VR) and a control group (no VR) during OPU. Randomization was performed on the day of ovulation induction. The study was conducted from April 2023 to December 2023 in a public university affiliated fertility clinic. Participants/materials, setting, methods 10 minutes before the OPU procedure the VR headset was placed and remained in place during OPU in the intervention group. The control group was treated according to the standard procedure of the unit. Both groups answered a questionnaire, including 14 questions using VAS (Visual Analog Scale) before and after OPU regarding nervousness, nausea, pain and total experience. Moreover, blood pressure, heart rate, saturation, and consumption of medication was recorded. Main results and the role of chance The study showed that the use of VR technology in women undergoing OPU significantly (P = 0.01) lowered the patient’s systolic blood pressure before the procedure. Moreover, the study showed a trend towards a reduction in nervousness and consumption of painkillers. The comments of the patients regarding their total experience of the effect of VR were in favour of VR usage and several patients would choose VR technology for a possible future OPU. Limitations, reasons for caution The patient experience might have differed if the same nurse participated during all the OPUs. To find a possible significant effect of VR usage as regards nervousness and consumption of painkillers a future larger sample size is required. Wider implications of the findings The use of VR technology during OPU might be considered as a supplement for patients during OPU. Trial registration number NCT05826938
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