Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06296147

Virtual Reality Headset and/or Aromatherapy for Patients Undergoing a Transperineal Prostate Biopsy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a VR headset and/or aromatherapy can be used to reduce patient pain, anxiety, and embarrassment during a transperineal biopsy (TPBx) compared to standard of care (SOC). The primary objective is to evaluate differences in self-reported pain, fear, or embarrassment during and after the procedure between the VR Group, Aromatherapy Group, VR+Aromatherapy Group, and the Control group.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Hospital

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Bruce Jacobs, MD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Divya Natesan, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

John Myrga, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial comparing the use of a virtual reality (VR) device vs. an aromatherapy patch vs. VR+aromatherapy vs. standard of care as a non-anesthetic pain management tool during a transperineal prostate biopsy (TPBx).

208 patients who express interest in participating in the trial will be consented via Redcap. Patients will be centrally, dynamically randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of the treatment groups or control group. There will be no subgroup stratification. The randomization will be predetermined by participant ID number. There will be a sealed envelope prepared and labeled with the participant ID that will contain the information for which treatment group a participant is assigned to. Once a participant is consented and assigned an ID, the envelope will be reopened to reveal which intervention the patient will be assigned to.

All participants will take a survey immediately following the procedure and that will conclude their participation in the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patient is 18 years or older
  • Patient is male
  • Patient is due for a transperineal prostate biopsy
  • Patient signed and dated informed consent form on Redcap agreeing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Patient has a known psychiatric or mental illness that would impede use of the VR device or aromatherapy patch
  • Patient has severe hearing or vision problems that would impair use of the VR headset (under the physician's discretion)
  • Patient has a history of seizures or epilepsy or is on a medication that would lower the threshold for a seizure
  • Patient has a history of reactions to noxious odors

Treatment and study plan

Virtual reality headset

Other

The interventions are for supportive care ONLY.

Aromatherapy Patch

Other

The interventions are for supportive care ONLY.

Standard of care

Other

Participant will undergo a transperineal prostate biopsy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Levels of pain, fear, and embarrassment that each group experienced before the TPBx measured using a self-reported survey that asks about experience prior to biopsy. The survey will be provided after the procedure.

    Time frame: immediately after the biopsy (up to 30 minutes)

    This outcome will be measured in the survey on a likert scale from least (0) to most (10) fear, anxiety, and embarassment.

  2. Levels of pain, fear, and embarrassment that each group experienced during the TPBx measured using a self-reported survey that asks about experience during the biopsy. The survey will be provided after the procedure.

    Time frame: immediately after the biopsy (up to 30 minutes)

    This outcome will be measured in the survey on a likert scale from least (0) to most (10) fear, anxiety, and embarassment.

  3. Levels of pain, fear, and embarrassment that each group experienced after the TPBx measured using a self-reported survey that asks about experience after to biopsy. The survey will be provided after the procedure.

    Time frame: immediately after the biopsy (up to 30 minutes)

    This outcome will be measured in the survey on a likert scale from least (0) to most (10) fear, anxiety, and embarassment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Proportion of patients undergoing TPBx who would be interested in using a VR device or aromatherapy patch during the procedure.

    Time frame: during enrollment

    Track number of patients approached and number of patients who sign consent.

  2. Safety and feasibility of using a VR device or aromatherapy patch during TPBx via the proportion of procedures completed successfully with no major complications or prolongations.

    Time frame: during the biopsy procedure (up to 30 minutes)

    Track number of procedures completed successfully with no major complications or prolongations per the investigator's discretion.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Divya Natesan

CONTACT

[email protected]

(412) 692-4100

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized, Controlled Trial: Impact on Patient Experience in Patients Assigned to Virtual Reality Headset; Aromatherapy Patch; Virtual Reality + Aromatherapy; or Standard of Care for Transperineal Prostate Biopsy

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 6, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.