Using virtual reality to ease anxiety and pain during bronchial fibroscopy

Evaluation De La Réalité Virtuelle Pour Réduire L'anxiété, La Douleur Et De La Durée D'une Fibroscopie Bronchique Vigile Non Urgente En Soins Critiques

Not applicable Interventional Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT05973201

This study is testing if using virtual reality can help critically ill patients feel less anxious and in less pain during their first bronchial fibroscopy while they are in the hospital.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Academic / other
Locations5 sites (Aix-en-Provence and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05973201 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a non-drug intervention to reduce anxiety and pain during bronchial fibroscopy (BF) in critically ill patients. The trial involves adult patients who are conscious and require a first BF while hospitalized in a critical care unit. Participants will use a VR headset during the procedure to enhance their comfort and experience. The goal is to determine if VR can improve patient tolerance of this invasive examination compared to traditional methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old, hospitalized in critical care, conscious, and requiring their first bronchial fibroscopy.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those with major neurocognitive impairments, severe sensory disabilities, or those undergoing emergency procedures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance patient comfort and reduce the need for sedatives during bronchial fibroscopy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that virtual reality can effectively reduce anxiety and pain in other medical procedures, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (over 18 years of age)
* Hospitalized in a critical care unit (intensive care and intensive care)
* Conscious (Glasgow score \>13)
* Spontaneous ventilation
* Requiring the realization of a FB
* First BF during hospitalization
* Having signed a consent to participate in the study
* Affiliation to social security

Exclusion Criteria:

* Non-French-speaking patient
* Protected minors or adults who cannot consent to participate
* People with major neurocognitive impairment
* Patient refusing to participate in the study
* Patient on State medical aid
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship or under judicial protection
* BF for a vital emergency
* Prior inclusion in the study
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Presence of a tracheostomy or tracheostomy
* Participation in other intervention research
* Epilepsy
* Visual impairment (blindness) or severe hearing impairment (hearing loss, deafness) that does not allow the use of the helmet
* Psychiatric pathologies such as delusional disorders, hallucinations or schizophrenia.
* Autism spectrum disorders
* Patient sensitive to motion sickness
* Refractory migraine under treatment

Where this trial is running

Aix-en-Provence and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Respiratory DisorderLung InfectionVirtual realityPulmonary fibroscopyAnxietyPainIntensive care
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.