A Study of the Impact of a Virtual Reality Medical Device (HypnoVR® Headset) on Anxiety and Pain in Interventional Radiology. (HYPNO-VR)

Interventional radiology procedures are frequently associated with significant procedural anxiety and pain, which may negatively affect patient experience, cooperation during the procedure, and overall procedural conditions. Although pharmacological analgesia and anxiolysis are commonly used, non-pharmacological approaches aimed at improving patient comfort are increasingly being explored.

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has demonstrated promising effects on anxiety and pain reduction in several medical and surgical settings. By providing immersive audiovisual stimulation and distraction, VR may reduce the emotional and sensory perception associated with stressful medical procedures. However, data regarding its use in interventional radiology remain limited.

The HYPNO-VR study is a prospective randomized controlled monocentric study evaluating the impact of immersive virtual reality during interventional radiology procedures performed under local anesthesia.

Eligible adult patients undergoing an interventional radiology procedure will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either :

• a virtual reality group receiving immersive VR during the procedure in addition to standard care ;
• or a control group receiving standard care alone.

The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of VR on procedural anxiety and pain. Anxiety will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), including trait anxiety assessment before the procedure and state anxiety assessment immediately before and after the procedure. Procedural pain will be evaluated using a numerical rating scale.

Secondary and exploratory objectives include evaluation of patient satisfaction, operator experience, procedural duration, analgesic use during the procedure, and feasibility of VR integration into routine interventional radiology practice.

The study aims to assess whether immersive VR may represent a simple, feasible, and effective complementary tool to improve patient experience during interventional radiology procedures.