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CC BY 4.0 · Endosc Int Open
DOI: 10.1055/a-2794-0424
Original article

The effect of Virtual Reality distraction on anxiety, pain and discomfort during unsedated gastroscopy: a randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Zita Bouman

    1   Medical psychology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN6030)

  • Froukje De Vries

    2   Psychiatry, Pro Persona GGz Adults Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN561033)

  • Mattanja De Ruiter

    3   Psychiatry, Vincent Van Gogh Instituut, Venray, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN8189)

  • Anneloes Bakker

    4   Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN6030)

  • Adriaan CITL Tan

    5   Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, Nijmegen, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN6030)

Supported by: ZonMw, the Netherlands Organization for Health research and Development
Supported by: Science fund of Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (RvB 21.038/CK/GvE).
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Background and study aims: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a widely used medical examination. Despite the short duration of this procedure, many patients experience anxiety, pain and discomfort. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) distraction on anxiety, pain and discomfort during unsedated gastroscopy. Patients and methods: 39 Patients in the intervention group wore VR glasses 10 minutes before and during the gastroscopy. 50 Patients in the control group received care as usual. Anxiety and pain levels were measured with the STAI-DY and NRS before, during and after the procedure. Moreover, comfort level was reported by accompanied nurse during procedure. The last outcome was self-reported willingness to undergo unsedated vs sedated gastroscopy in the future. Results: The VR and control non-VR group were comparable in terms of age, gender, education level; as well as self-reported general health, anxiety and pain levels. No significant differences were observed in levels of anxiety, pain and discomfort during the endoscopy. There was no difference in medical outcome and willingness to undergo unsedated vs sedated gastroscopy in the future. Conclusions: Virtual Reality distraction did not objectively reduce patient anxiety, pain and discomfort before, during or after procedure. Moreover, the willingness to undergo the same procedure without sedation was the same for the VR and the control group. Future research is needed to explore whether selected groups of patients may benefit from VR distraction.



Publication History

Received: 15 September 2025

Accepted: 20 January 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
23 January 2026

© . The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Bibliographical Record
Zita Bouman, Froukje De Vries, Mattanja De Ruiter, Anneloes Bakker, Adriaan CITL Tan. The effect of Virtual Reality distraction on anxiety, pain and discomfort during unsedated gastroscopy: a randomized controlled trial. Endosc Int Open ; 0: a27940424.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2794-0424