Virtual Reality Intervention to Reduce Pain in Women Undergoing Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation

NCT07484815 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 0497-23-HMO-CTIL
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluates whether exposure to relaxing virtual reality (VR) scenery prior to oocyte retrieval can reduce pain in women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation. Many women experience discomfort before and after oocyte retrieval. Virtual reality has been shown to reduce pain in various medical settings by providing distraction and relaxation. In this study, participants are randomly assigned to receive either routine care alone or routine care combined with a VR-based relaxation intervention while waiting for the procedure. Pain is assessed using validated questionnaires and standardized scales before and after oocyte retrieval. The results of this study may help determine whether VR can serve as a simple, safe, and non-pharmacological method to improve patient comfort during elective egg freezing.

Conditions

Procedure-Related Pain; Acute Pain

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Oocyte Retrieval; Pain Management; Fertility Preservation; Non-Pharmacological Intervention; Reproductive Medicine; Patient Comfort; Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Post-procedure pain intensity

  Pain intensity measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain is assessed in the recovery room following oocyte retrieval.

  Immediately post-procedure in the recovery room (within 1 hour after oocyte retrieval)

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Baseline pain sensitivity

  Before oocyte retrieval

• Heart rate during oocyte retrieval

  Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure

• Pain intensity prior to discharge

  Prior to discharge (same day as oocyte retrieval)

• Change in pain intensity from pre-procedure to post-procedure

  From pre-procedure (at admission) to immediately post-procedure in the recovery room

• Post-procedure analgesic consumption

  From completion of oocyte retrieval until discharge from the recovery unit

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Reality Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive routine care and are exposed to a relaxing virtual reality nature video using a VR headset for approximately 20 minutes prior to oocyte retrieval.

Behavioral: Virtual reality relaxation intervention

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality.

Behavioral: Standard Care Control

Interventions

Virtual reality relaxation intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants are exposed to relaxing virtual reality nature scenery videos using a VR headset for approximately 20 minutes prior to oocyte retrieval, in addition to routine care.

Virtual Reality Intervention Group

Standard Care Control BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only individuals with female biological sex undergoing oocyte retrieval are eligible to participate in this study.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women undergoing elective oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation.
• Age 18-45 years.
• Ability to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Use of pain relief, anti-anxiety, or antidepressant medications prior to the intervention.
• Any condition for which VR use is not recommended, including:
• History of seizures
• Sensitivity to flashing light or motion
• Migraine headaches
• Predisposition to nausea or dizziness (e.g., vertigo)
• Any injury to the eyes, face, or neck limiting use of the VR device, including blindness.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hadassah Medical Organization: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hadassah Medical Organization

Jerusalem, Israel

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acute Pain; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Anat Hershko-Klement, MD

  Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Adar Hamrani, MD

  Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Adar Hamrani, MD

CONTACT

+972-54-5560848; adarha@hadassah.org.il

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the intervention, masking of participants and care providers is not feasible.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants are randomized into two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving virtual reality exposure prior to oocyte retrieval and a control group receiving standard care.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: March 20, 2026
• Study Start: November 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

IL (1)