Procedure-Related PainOPU-VRNCT07484815
Virtual Reality Intervention to Reduce Pain in Women Undergoing Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation
A study testing Virtual reality relaxation intervention in people with Procedure-Related Pain and Acute Pain, run by Hadassah Medical Organization at 1 site in Israel.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Procedure-Related Pain, Acute Pain
- What is being tested?
- Virtual reality relaxation intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIsrael
- Study dates
- 5 Nov 2024to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women undergoing elective oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation.
- Age 18-45 years.
- Ability to provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Israel1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hadassah Medical Organization
Jerusalem
Hadas Lemberg, PhD, 00 972 2 6777572, lhadas@hadassah.org.il
Anat Hershko-Klement, MD
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pain Reduction in Women Undergoing Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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.
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
This study is a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain among women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation.
Eligible participants awaiting oocyte retrieval are recruited at the fertility unit. All participants receive detailed information about the study and provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.
Participants are randomized into two parallel groups. The intervention group receives routine care in addition to exposure to relaxing virtual reality nature scenery using a VR headset for approximately 20 minutes prior to oocyte retrieval. The control group receives routine care without exposure to virtual reality.
Baseline assessments include demographic data, medical history, pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ), baseline visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, pain threshold assessment, and vital signs.
Following the procedure, pain is reassessed using the visual analog scale. Analgesic administration is documented from medical records. Additional post-procedure assessments include pain-related parameters and vital signs.
The primary outcome is post-procedure pain intensity measured using the VAS. Secondary outcomes include pain sensitivity measures, analgesic consumption, and physiological parameters.
All collected data include demographic variables, clinical parameters, baseline and post-procedure pain scores, pain-related measures, vital signs, and medication use. Data are coded and stored in a secure institutional database.
Statistical analysis compares outcomes between groups using appropriate parametric or non-parametric methods according to data distribution.
This study aims to assess whether pre-procedure virtual reality exposure can serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological adjunct for pain reduction in women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation.
- Conditions
- Procedure-Related Pain, Acute Pain
- Being tested
- Virtual reality relaxation intervention, Standard Care Control
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Oocyte Retrieval, Pain Management, Fertility Preservation, Non-Pharmacological Intervention, Reproductive Medicine, Patient Comfort, Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation
- Medical subject headings
- Acute Pain, Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual reality relaxation interventionBehavioural
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.
Standard Care ControlBehavioural
Participants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Behavioral: Virtual reality relaxation intervention |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality. Receives: Behavioral: Standard Care Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Immediately post-procedure in the recovery room (within 1 hour after oocyte retrieval)
Secondary outcomes (7)
Baseline pain sensitivity
Baseline pain sensitivity measured using the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), a validated self-report instrument assessing perceived pain intensity in imagined daily-life situations. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain sensitivity.
Measured: Before oocyte retrieval
Heart rate during oocyte retrieval
eart rate (beats per minute) measured at predefined time points before, during, and after oocyte retrieval as an indicator of physiological stress.
Measured: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Pain intensity prior to discharge
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 prior to discharge on the day of oocyte retrieval.
Measured: Prior to discharge (same day as oocyte retrieval)
Change in pain intensity from pre-procedure to post-procedure
Change in 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. Change is calculated as post-procedure VAS score minus pre-procedure VAS score.
Measured: From pre-procedure (at admission) to immediately post-procedure in the recovery room
Post-procedure analgesic consumption
Use of analgesic medications during the post-procedure recovery period, documented from medical records, including type and dosage of administered analgesics.
Measured: From completion of oocyte retrieval until discharge from the recovery unit
Systolic blood pressure during oocyte retrieval
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured at predefined time points before, during, and after oocyte retrieval as an indicator of physiological stress.
Measured: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Diastolic blood pressure during oocyte retrieval
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured at predefined time points before, during, and after oocyte retrieval as an indicator of physiological stress.
Measured: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start5 Nov 2024
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Procedure-Related PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hadassah Medical OrganizationThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- 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.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hadassah Medical Organization
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Anat Hershko-Klement, MD, Principal investigator, Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, IsraelAdar Hamrani, MD, Study director, Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484815
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0497-23-HMO-CTIL
- Acronym
- OPU-VR
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pain Reduction in Women Undergoing Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484815
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- OPU-VR / 0497-23-HMO-CTIL
- 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
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hadassah Medical OrganizationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
This study is a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain among women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation.
Eligible participants awaiting oocyte retrieval are recruited at the fertility unit. All participants receive detailed information about the study and provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.
Participants are randomized into two parallel groups. The intervention group receives routine care in addition to exposure to relaxing virtual reality nature scenery using a VR headset for approximately 20 minutes prior to oocyte retrieval. The control group receives routine care without exposure to virtual reality.
Baseline assessments include demographic data, medical history, pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ), baseline visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, pain threshold assessment, and vital signs.
Following the procedure, pain is reassessed using the visual analog scale. Analgesic administration is documented from medical records. Additional post-procedure assessments include pain-related parameters and vital signs.
The primary outcome is post-procedure pain intensity measured using the VAS. Secondary outcomes include pain sensitivity measures, analgesic consumption, and physiological parameters.
All collected data include demographic variables, clinical parameters, baseline and post-procedure pain scores, pain-related measures, vital signs, and medication use. Data are coded and stored in a secure institutional database.
Statistical analysis compares outcomes between groups using appropriate parametric or non-parametric methods according to data distribution.
This study aims to assess whether pre-procedure virtual reality exposure can serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological adjunct for pain reduction in women undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 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.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Virtual reality relaxation interventionParticipants 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. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standard Care ControlParticipants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Women undergoing elective oocyte retrieval for fertility preservation.
- Age 18-45 years.
- Ability to provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Use of pain relief, anti-anxiety, or antidepressant medications prior to the intervention.
- Any condition for which VR use is not recommended, including:
- Any injury to the eyes, face, or neck limiting use of the VR device, including blindness.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual reality relaxation interventionParticipants 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. | Behavioural | Virtual Reality Intervention Group |
| Standard Care ControlParticipants receive routine care prior to oocyte retrieval without exposure to virtual reality. | Behavioural | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Post-procedure pain intensity
Time frame: Immediately post-procedure in the recovery room (within 1 hour after oocyte retrieval)
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.
7 secondary outcomes
Baseline pain sensitivity
Time frame: Before oocyte retrieval
Heart rate during oocyte retrieval
Time frame: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Pain intensity prior to discharge
Time frame: Prior to discharge (same day as oocyte retrieval)
Change in pain intensity from pre-procedure to post-procedure
Time frame: From pre-procedure (at admission) to immediately post-procedure in the recovery room
Post-procedure analgesic consumption
Time frame: From completion of oocyte retrieval until discharge from the recovery unit
Systolic blood pressure during oocyte retrieval
Time frame: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Diastolic blood pressure during oocyte retrieval
Time frame: Before, during, and after oocyte retrieval and prior to discharge on the day of the procedure
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Procedure-Related Pain
Recruiting
Opioid and Pain Treatment in Indigenous Communities (OPTIC) Trial
Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Misuse
Not yet recruiting
Music Listening for Chronic Pain in Adults With Early-Stage Dementia
Chronic Pain, Alzheimer Disease
Active, not recruiting
Pain Self-Management and Treatment Engagement for Patients Taking Opioids
Chronic Pain, Opioid Use Disorder
Recruiting
Impact of Virtual Reality on Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Interventional Procedures
Anxiety
Recruiting
Mindfulness in Fracture Recovery and Reduction of Opioid Reliance: Evaluating the Feasibility of Implementing a Brief, Mindfulness-based Intervention to Manage Pain and Anxiety Before and After Fracture Surgery
Orthopaedic Fractures, Orthopaedic Trauma Fractures and Non-unions
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Anat Hershko-Klement, MD principal investigator
Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
Adar Hamrani, MD study director
Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Virtual reality relaxation intervention in people with Procedure-Related Pain and Acute Pain, run by Hadassah Medical Organization at 1 site in Israel.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Israel. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Adar Hamrani, MD (+972-54-5560848, adarha@hadassah.org.il), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Post-procedure pain intensity (time frame: Immediately post-procedure in the recovery room (within 1 hour after oocyte retrieval)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Mar 2026.