Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Research and Innovations (new projects / technology / innovations / service models)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Ko SY(1), Wong EML(2), Ngan TL(1), Leung HK(1), Kwok TYK(1), Tam HF(1), Chan CC(3)
Affiliation :
(1) Accident and Emergency Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR (2) School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR (3) Nursing Services Division, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR
Introduction :
In emergency departments (EDs), suturing is a typical procedure for closing lacerated wounds but is invasive and often causes pain. Traditionally, pharmacological intervention is broadly applied to reduce patients’ pain. However, side effects and contraindications should be considered. Thus, non-pharmacological interventions such as virtual reality (VR) is warranted with technological advancement.
Objectives :
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of VR intervention on pain, local anaesthesia requirements and satisfaction in Chinese adult patients undergoing wound-closure procedures in EDs in Hong Kong.
Methodology :
Adult patients who had lacerated wounds and were undergoing suturing, can communicate in Chinese and were hemodynamically stable were invited for this trial. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group, which received standard care and VR videos through a VR goggles during the procedure, or the control group which received standard care. The primary outcome was pain. Secondary outcomes included local anaesthesia requirements, and satisfaction with pain management and service. Outcome measurements were conducted at baseline, ten minutes after starting the procedure and five minutes after the completion of wound closure for all participants.
Result & Outcome :
The patients in the VR group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in pain level (p <0.001) and local anaesthesia requirement (p = 0.025) compared with the control group. The level of satisfactory with pain management (p = 0.019) and service (p = 0.002) were significantly increased among patients receiving VR intervention. Conclusions: Findings indicate that VR is safe and effective to alleviate pain, and minimize the local anaesthesia requirements as well as improve satisfaction in adult patients who are undergoing wound-closure procedures. Implications for practice: VR may be considered as an adjunctive treatment to manage pain in patients with wound closure procedures in clinical settings, and assist health care professionals in designing VR interventions.
