The Influence of Virtual Reality on Blood Parameters

Rationale: In recent years virtual reality (VR) has become increasingly popular in clinical setting, especially during blood sampling to enhance patient comfort and reduce anxiety. The immersion in a 360° fantasy world contributes to an effective way of distraction. During a medical procedure the patient is allowed to choose a VR interface that corresponds his liking. This can consist in relaxing content, like meditation video's or swimming with dolphins, or stress-inducing content, like a rollercoaster ride. The latter might be problematic due to its potential influence on stress levels. Many laboratory tests, like haematologic and endocrinologic markers can be influenced during an acute stress response. Normally, this physiological process ensures an effective energy metabolism when most needed. However, during a blood withdrawal using stress-inducing VR this is inconvenient as it could theoretically result in elevated or inaccurate laboratory tests. This might lead to additional blood draws, misdiagnoses and potential over- or undertreatment of patients. To the best of our knowledge, no previous research has assessed the accuracy of laboratory tests conducted on blood samples drawn during a VR rollercoaster experience.

Objective: To assess the impact of exposure to relaxing and stress-inducing virtual reality content on the levels of stress-related biomarkers in healthy individuals.

Study design: This is a monocentre pilot cross-over clinical trial. Study participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two arms. These arms determine the order of VR content exposure. The first arm will be exposed to relaxing VR content during the first study visit, during which blood will be drawn before and after the VR experience. Then, after an interval of 3-5 weeks, they will be exposed to stress-inducing VR content and blood will be drawn before and after. The second arm will do the study visits in the opposite order.

Study population: Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 45 years with no medical history on haematologic, endocrinologic or cardiac disorders.

Intervention:

Participants will be exposed to stress-inducing and relaxing VR content during two separate study visits, the Relax Visit and the Rollercoaster Visit. Blood samples will be collected immediately before and after each VR session to measure changes in stress-related biomarkers. Additionally, objective stress levels measured by vital functions (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure) and subjective stress levels measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) will be collected immediately pre- and post- VR exposure.

Main study parameters/endpoints:

The correlation between stress-related biomarkers (factor VIII activity, vWF ristocetin co-factor activity, copeptin (AVP), prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), cortisol and glucose) before and after relaxing and stress-inducing VR-content.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:

Participation includes two site visits, with an interval of 3 to 5 weeks. In both visits blood samples will be collected immediately before and after each VR session to measure changes in biomarkers. Additionally, objective stress levels measured by vital functions and subjective stress levels measured using a visual analogue scale will be collected immediately pre- and post- VR exposure. There are no benefits for participants. However, the results of this study may possibly benefit patients with haematological and endocrinological disorders regarding their comfort and anxiety during blood sampling and by reducing unnecessary extra sampling. Furthermore, it may benefit their treatment by optimizing the diagnostic process. Potential risks are the experience of motion-sickness during the VR experience and a blood withdrawal might be experienced as minimally painful for a very short amount of time. However, to minimalize this pain participants will apply a numbing cream one hour before the start of a study visit.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 45 years old;
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• A history of motion- or cybersickness;
• Fear of needles;
• Any of the following haematological disorders:

• Congenital or acquired haemophilia A;
• Von Willebrand Disease.
• Any of the following endocrinological disorders:

• Thyroid disorders (e.g. hypo/hyperthyroidism);
• Cushing syndrome;
• Adrenal insufficiency;
• Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2;
• Central or nephrogenic AVP deficiency.
• A confirmed cardiac disorder;
• All types of epilepsy;
• Every form of medication, except for intermittent use of pain killers but not in the last week (e.g. paracetamol) and an intra-uterine device with or without contraceptive;
• Pregnancy.