SynthesisPloS one2025
The efficacy of virtual reality in adults during puncture biopsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVirtual reality, as a nascent technology, possesses the potential to enhance patient comfort by mitigating pain and anxiety during medical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality intervention in managing pain for adults undergoing puncture biopsy procedures.
methodsFrom the outset of the development of databases until October 8, 2024, a comprehensive search of the published literature was performed across eight electronic databases. The collected data was consolidated and subjected to meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.4. The quality of the inclusion of randomized controlled trials in terms of methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Additionally, strength and certainty of the evidence was assessed by the GRADE system.
resultsThe study was conducted on data from a sample of 445 patients from six randomized controlled trials. The pooled analysis revealed that the virtual reality group demonstrated an analgesic effect (MD = -1.61, 95% CI: -2.54 to -0.68; p = 0.0007; I2 = 90%). Moreover, the virtual reality intervention was found to reduce patient anxiety during puncture biopsy procedures (MD = -9.49, 95% CI -14.47 to -4.50; p = 0.0002; I2 = 88%). In addition, three studies that could not be included in the meta-analysis also reported a positive impact of increasing patient satisfaction with the operation.
conclusionsVirtual reality can be used as an analgesic method in adult puncture biopsies and as a reliable alternative therapy in clinical settings, providing a valuable non-pharmacologic approach to pain management. Nevertheless, the level of evidence is relatively low, thus further high-quality studies are required to substantiate our conclusion. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO database, CRD4202459303.
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