VRDD Study v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using Virtual Reality Distraction and Disassociation (VRDD) in Adult Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
IRAS ID
323884
Contact name
Claire Livingstone
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
The demand for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is rising year by year and improving the patient's experience of having the procedure has become an important aim. A lot of work has been done in recent years on how to improve a patient's experience during GI endoscopy such as improving endoscopy and communication skills. Due to the
increasing popularity of Virtual Reality (VR) in the gaming world, VR equipment have been used in children as a safe and effective distraction method during GI endoscopy, removing the need for them to have general anaesthesia for their procedure. This has been thought of as an option for the adult patients which would also save them from
requiring sedation for their endoscopy procedure.This is a pilot feasibility study (small scale preliminary study) carried out at a single hospital site with a dedicated GI endoscopy service. We intend to find out whether the VR headset that is used is tolerated and accepted by adult patients
during their endoscopy procedure. This has been shown to be a cheaper option compared to giving sedation drugs or general anaesthesia as well. If adult patients can accept this option, we are hoping to investigate in future larger studies whether they could potentially use this as a distraction method to help improve their experience of undergoing GI endoscopy. Any adult patient who is having an upper GI endoscopy could be potentially eligible. Their endoscopy procedure forms part of their clinical care whereas the research component involves them wearing the VR headset before and/or during their procedure. Their experience of undergoing upper GI endoscopy and wearing the VR headset will be measured using a series of questionnaires.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0259
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion