Modernizing ED Care: Virtual Reality Enhances the Patient Experience during Minor Wide-awake Hand Procedures

Abstract

Background: Minor procedures in the emergency department (ED) can be distressing for patients. The emergence of virtual reality (VR) offers a promising new tool by immersing patients in an engaging three-dimensional world. Prior studies have shown VR’s effectiveness during procedures in reducing pain, anxiety, and procedure duration but have not assessed its efficacy in the ED. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of VR in managing pain and anxiety during ED minor hand procedures. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study at a level I trauma center examining adult patients requiring minor hand procedures. Patients were provided the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, offering various immersive three-dimensional experiences. Pre- and postprocedure surveys assessed previous VR use, anxiety and pain levels, VR efficacy, and possible adverse effects. Responses were rated on a 10-point Likert scale with paired t tests used to compare scores. Results: The study included sixteen patients, seven of whom were first-time VR users. Patients experienced a significant decrease in both anxiety and pain levels. Survey results indicated overall benefits from VR in several aspects, with no adverse effects reported, and unanimous patient recommendation of the VR experience to others. Conclusions: VR is an effective tool to optimize the patient experience during ED hand procedures. The study observed a significant decrease in anxiety and a declining trend in pain levels. Patients believed VR helped manage their pain and would recommend it to others. Given the benefits and high safety profile, VR should become a standard offering in ED minor hand procedures.