Aims

Preoperative anxiety, which can affect post-operative recovery, is often present in patients undergoing surgery under loco-regional anesthesia (LRA). Minimizing preoperative anxiety with premedication can be effective but results in drug-related side effects. Therefore, the use of non-pharmacological techniques should be encouraged.

Methods

We evaluated whether a Virtual Reality (VR) incorporating music and a hypnosis session, provided during the performance of LRA, can reduce preoperative anxiety. Fifty patients scheduled for elective hand surgery under an axillary plexus block were enrolled (March-June 2019). The primary outcome measure was the change in the Amsterdam Anxiety and Preoperative Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaire 5 minutes after the VR session as compared to before the VR session. The secondary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) for anxiety before and two hours after the surgery and the Evaluation du Vécu de l'ANesthésie – LocoRégionale (EVAN-LR) satisfaction score.

Results

Data from 48 patients were analyzed. The APAIS score as well as VAS for anxiety were significantly reduced after a VR session (P < 0.001 for both scores). Patients were very satisfied (EVAN-LR: 92 (88, 94)).

Conclusions

The use of VR incorporating music and a hypnosis session could be an effective tool in the management of patient’s preoperative anxiety during the performance of an axillary plexus block.