Govert Veldhuijzen

137 Virtual reality distraction for patients to relieve pain and discomfort during colonoscopy Study design At T1, all participants filled out a baseline form on a tablet with items on demography, prior experience undergoing colonoscopy, prior VR experience and a validated general health questionnaire (RAND-36). 31 At the day of the colonoscopy, T2, all patients received a second form that included validated questionnaires on anxiety (STAI) and pain (NRS), approximately 15 minutes before the colonoscopy. 32,33 The patients in the intervention group also tested the VR glasses before colonoscopy. See figure 1. Figure 1. Samsung® Gear VR shown on a patient preparing before and during colonoscopy (with permission) During colonoscopy, T3, one researcher (NK) observed the patient’s well-being and positioning together with several procedural aspects e.g., time to cecum intubation and time of total procedure. All patients received conscious sedation with (Midazolam and/ or Alfentanil) according to the standard of care, the dose was increased at physician discretion. After colonoscopy the patient completed a set of questionnaires at T4, including anxiety (STAI), pain (NRS), Net promoter score and willingness to return questions. A short qualitative interview was held with the patients of the intervention group to explore their experiences with VR glasses. Measures Primary outcome The main outcome is patient acceptance of wearing VR glasses during the procedure. This includes adequate positioning of the VR glasses during the entire procedure, even during patient repositioning. In addition, we recorded cecal intubation rate, cecum and total procedure time as well as administered sedatives and analgesics. Secondary outcomes Patient comfort Patient comfort was measured using a five point Gloucester Comfort scale: 1, comfortable and 5, severe discomfort. 34 7