Patient and staff experience
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients (16 who received
virtual reality intervention and 12 patients who had standard care), 2
clinical staff and 3 nursing staff (Appendix S2). Thematic analysis of
interview transcripts provided rich insights into patients’ experience
of the VR intervention. A range of representative quotes from patients
(Appendix S2) illustrates the possible mechanisms by which virtual
reality immersion was reported to influence the experience of pain and
anxiety. Positive experiences included a sense of relaxation that
distracted from pain, as a result of calming visual imagery,
environmental immersion and narrated soothing metaphors about pain
control and deflection. Some patients appreciated the fact that the VR
headset blocked sight of doctors and equipment that they found
particularly anxiety provoking. Although patients generally reported
that the VR did not remove their pain entirely, they reported that the
distraction element helped control pain and immediate recovery from
instances of sharp pain during the procedure. In contrast, some patients
reported no effect of the VR technology on experienced levels of pain or
that it was only effective during low to moderate pain. Views were mixed
on whether the lack of situational awareness of the consultation room
was of benefit and some patients preferred to be more aware of the
procedure or be able to talk unimpeded with the doctor. A minority of
patients reported wearing the VR headset to be uncomfortable and
claustrophobic, or that the sense of motion in the VR environment
induced nausea.