Virtual reality relaxation to reduce pain during elective egg retrieval
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pain Reduction in Women Undergoing Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This tests whether about 20 minutes of relaxing VR nature scenes before elective egg retrieval can lower pain for women having egg freezing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Hadassah Medical Organization Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Jerusalem) |
| Trial ID | NCT07484815 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, controlled trial enrolls women aged 18–45 undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation and randomly assigns them to routine care alone or routine care plus a roughly 20-minute VR-based relaxation session before retrieval. Pain is measured using validated scales including the visual analog scale before and after the procedure, with secondary outcomes of pain sensitivity, analgesic consumption, and physiological parameters. Participants with contraindications to VR (for example, history of seizures, severe motion sensitivity, migraines, or current use of certain psychoactive medications) are excluded. The VR intervention is delivered via a headset in the clinic waiting area immediately prior to the oocyte retrieval.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women aged 18–45 undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation who can safely use a VR headset and are not taking excluded medications or have contraindicated conditions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with seizure history, flashing-light or motion sensitivity, migraines, vertigo, or recent use of pain-relief, anti-anxiety, or antidepressant medications may be excluded or unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the VR intervention could reduce procedure-related pain and the need for additional pain medication, improving comfort during egg freezing.
How similar studies have performed: VR-based relaxation has reduced pain and anxiety in various procedural settings, although evidence specifically for oocyte retrieval is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women undergoing elective oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation. * Age 18-45 years. * Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Use of pain relief, anti-anxiety, or antidepressant medications prior to the intervention. * Any condition for which VR use is not recommended, including: * History of seizures * Sensitivity to flashing light or motion * Migraine headaches * Predisposition to nausea or dizziness (e.g., vertigo) * Any injury to the eyes, face, or neck limiting use of the VR device, including blindness.
Where this trial is running
Jerusalem
- Hadassah Medical Organization — Jerusalem, Israel (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anat Hershko-Klement, MD — Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
- Study coordinator: Adar Hamrani, MD
- Email: adarha@hadassah.org.il
- Phone: +972-54-5560848
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.