Intraoperative use of virtual reality decreases anxiety during surgery under local anaesthesia in the head and neck region

Abstract The availability of virtual reality (VR) in the medical field has been rapidly increasing in the past years. Here we investigate to which extent the VR headset can lead to a reduction in anxiety and pain in patients during surgical procedures under local anesthesia in the head and neck region. Patients were divided into a study group ( N = 67) and a control group ( N = 28). The study group used a VR headset during surgical procedures in the head and neck region under local anaesthesia. Before and after surgery, the influence of the VR headset on perioperative anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory (STAI) in both groups. The use of a VR headset leads to a significant reduction in perioperative anxiety. The anxiety scores measured by means and ranks of the STAI were significantly decreased ( p = .002). However, 14/67 (20.9%) of the patients wearing the VR headset also reported higher intraoperative tension. No technical complications occurred intraoperatively. 48/67 (71.7%) of the patients would be less apprehensive about a future operation when using a VR headset and 58/67 (86.6%) would further recommend the use of a VR headset to other patients. In addition to a trusting surgeon-patient relationship and the use of sufficient local anaesthesia, the use of a VR headset as a method of distraction can further reduce the intraoperative anxiety of patients.