Use Of Virtual Reality During Scalp Injections: A Randomized Interventional Crossover Study

This randomized controlled crossover study investigated the use of virtual reality (VR) as a pain mitigation technique during scalp injections of platelet-rich plasma for hair loss treatment. Eighteen participants, who had previously undergone scalp injections, were randomized to receive VR intervention during one of their two consecutive visits. The VR experience involved a simulated nighttime flight through Tokyo. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety (35.1%) and pain (24.3%) scores with VR, as measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory and visual analog scale, respectively. Additionally, 100% of participants reported satisfaction with the VR intervention, compared to 77.8% without it. Most participants (83.3%) preferred clinics offering VR, and 50% were willing to pay for it. No adverse events were reported. Despite the small sample size and the use of a scalp vibration device, the study suggests that VR is a noninvasive, well-tolerated method to improve patient experience during scalp injections.