Efficacy of Virtual Reality Distraction Technique for Anxiety and Pain Control in Knee Arthroscopy under Spinal Anesthesia. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Regional anesthesia (RA) allows surgery without impacting the patient’s level of consciousness. This avoids disadvantages related to general anesthesia, especially the maintenance of upper airway. Aim of the Work The proposed study aimed to compare the effect of using non- pharmacological methods, i.e., virtual reality, on anxiety level and satisfaction with that of the sedating effect of midazolam. Patients and Methods In this study we compare Efficacy of virtual reality distraction technique for anxiety and sedation in knee arthroscopy under spinal anaesthesia. The study is conducted in Anesthesiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University. The study period is 6 months. The sample size is 100 patients divided in two groups randomly (Group I and Group II). Each group has 50 patients. Results The results showed that the application of virtual reality as a complementary modality might help manage perioperative anxiety in a way that is safe, effective, time-efficient, and enjoyable similar to that of sedating effect of midazolam with an advantage of excluding the undesirable adverse effect of sedative drug. Conclusion Virtual Reality is effective for reducing the anxiety of patient perioperative and increasing satisfaction in a safe, effective, time- efficient, enjoyable, and maintained patient's level of consciousness, in addition to the fact that preoperative sedatives and antianxiety drugs often have adverse side effects and may prolong patient recovery and discharge.