Pain Relief Using VR in Oocyte Retreival

Introduction Transvaginal ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval is an essential process in in-vitro fertilization. The procedure lasts for around 10-15 minutes and is considered as a painful procedure. Different modalities of pain relief methods are used including paracervical blocks(1-3), conscious sedation (4, 5), spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia (6). Conscious sedation with anaesthesia was the commonly chosen method in assisted reproduction technology centers; as it enhances a faster post-procedure recovery and less anaesthetic risks as compared with general anaesthesia.

Recently, the use of immersive virtual reality technology has been applied in pain control in different medical fields especially in paediatrics, oncology and burn patients (7, 8). It provides a distraction from the acute pain during procedures and its effectiveness has been shown in meta-analysis (9, 10). In gynaecology, use of VR can significantly reduce the pain in ambulatory hysteroscopy (score 6.0 versus 3.7, p = 0.0009) (11). Another group of investigators also initiated a study on VR as pain relief in hysterosalpingogram (12). While, there is no study evaluating the use of VR in transvaginal oocyte retrieval.

In view of that, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in pain relief during transvaginal oocyte retrieval under conscious sedation.

Trial objectives and hypothesis:

The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in pain relief during transvaginal oocyte retrieval using conscious sedation.

Hypothesis VR can reduce the pain experienced during transvaginal oocyte retrieval using conscious sedation.

Trial design This is a randomized study on additional use of VR during transvaginal oocyte retrieval using conscious sedation. All subjects will receive the standard conscious sedation with 25mg IV pethidine and 5mg IV diazepam; and paracervical local anaesthetic 10ml 1% lignocaine. In addition, they will be randomized to receive immersive VR or not.

Treatment of subjects:

Women undergoing in-vitro fertilization at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Queen Mary Hospital will be assessed for eligibility. Eligible women will be recruited for the study and informed written consent will be obtained after written and oral information.

Eligible women recruited will be randomly assigned on the day of oocyte retrieval according to a computer-generated randomization list into one of the following two groups.

• VR group - The women will receive Immersive VR.
• Placebo group - They will have the VR headset put on but blank screen. Blinding of the subjects is not possible due to the nature of the intervention.

Ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval will be performed according to departmental Standard Operating Procedures. The VR headset will be put on prior to oocyte retrieval and it will be turned on in the VR group only. The headset will be cleansed with wipes after each use. Disposable hygiene masks will be used below the headset.

25mg Pethidine and 5mg Diazepam will be given intravenously. The blood pressure and pulse of the women are checked after the drug administration and the oxygen saturation is monitored continuously throughout the procedure. 10ml 1% lignocaine is injected to the paracervical region by the operating surgeon with a 21-gauge needle after cleansing of the vagina and cervix with chlorhexidine. Under transvaginal ultrasound guidance, a 16-gauge ovum aspiration needle is introduced. Aspiration of follicles without flushing is performed with a suction pressure of 100mmHg.

Assessment of anxiety Shortly after hospital admission in the morning, women will complete the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire before oocyte retrieval to assess their trait and state anxiety.

Assessment of pain levels and sedation levels The women will be asked to rate according to a 100mm linear visual analogue scale prior to start of procedure, within 5 minutes after the procedure and four hours after the procedure prior to discharge from hospital.

They will be asked to rate:

• The anticipated pain during the procedure
• The worst pain during the procedure

The surgeon will score the sedation level of the women according to the scale described by Ramsay et al., at the end of the operation. Level 1: Patient anxious and agitated or restless or both; Level 2: Patient co-operative, orientated, and tranquil; Level 3: Patient responsive to commands only; Level 4: Asleep and a brisk response to loud auditory stimulus; Level 5: Asleep and a sluggish response to loud auditory stimulus; Level 6: Asleep and no response to loud auditory stimulus.

Any adverse effects experienced such as (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness will be recorded.

They will be asked to complete the client satisfaction questionnaire before discharge.

Basic demographic data will be collected including age, indication of infertility, number of oocytes obtained, and duration of procedure.

No extra follow-up visits will be arranged solely for the study unless considered necessary by the investigators.

Inclusion criteria

• - women aged > 18 years and <43 years

• understand Chinese
• undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval on both sides

Exclusion criteria

• Had known allergy to pethidine, diazepam or local anaesthetics
• Had oocyte retrieval performed on one ovary only
• History of claustrophobia/ susceptible to motion sickness