Impact of patient's self-viewing of flexible cystoscopy on pain using a visual analog scale in a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the difference in pain score of patients allowed to view their flexible cystoscopy procedure compared with those who have not viewed the procedure on the video monitor.

METHODS

It is a prospective, randomized, controlled study. A total of 76 patients with different clinical indications for flexible cystoscopy were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups; group A and group B with 38 patients each. Group A patients viewed the procedure on a video monitor, whereas group B, the control group, did not. Statistical analyses were performed using a χ(2) test, Student's t test, and paired t test. A P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics between the 2 groups. Mean age, duration of the procedure, and indications for the procedure were also comparable in the 2 groups. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in pain scores between the 2 groups (P < .001). The numbers of patients reporting pain in the study group (group A) were lower than in the control group (group B). There was a statistically significant difference in the postprocedural pulse rate; however, the systolic blood pressure pre- and postprocedure remained the same.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' who viewed the cystoscopic procedure on a video monitor reported less pain on a visual analog scale compared with the control group.