Impact of Virtual Reality Hypnosis on Pain and Anxiety During Dressings Change in Burn Patients

Impact of Virtual Reality Hypnosis on Pain and Anxiety During Dressings Change in Burn Patients Treated as Outpatients

Different non-pharmacological techniques, including hypnosis and virtual reality are currently used as complementary tools in the treatment of pain related to burn injury. A new technique called 'virtual reality hypnosis' (VRH) (Patterson et al., 2004), which encompasses a combination of both tools, is regularly used although its actual function remains unknown to this date. With the goal to improve our understanding of VRH combination effects, it is necessary to elaborate randomized and controlled research studies in order to understand their actual function in individual's perception. 100 patients who are treated as outpatients for burn care will be randomly assigned to virtual reality or VRH. Patients will receive one session of one of these techniques during burn dressing change.Physiological parameters will be recorded during dressing change. Participants will fill in a questionnaire evaluating their tendency to be absorbed and dissociated, and another evaluating their level of perceived immersion. Their level of anxiety, pain, fatigue and relaxation will be evaluated before and after the session. A short interview will also be conducted to give participants the opportunity to openly describe their experience.

Patients will see a 3D film combined with a hypnotic voice during the entire procedure of dressing change

Patients will see a 3D film without any hypnotic voice during the entire procedure of dressing change

Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. This is a subjective linear scale. No pain = 0, maximum pain = 10.

Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. This is a subjective linear scale. No anxiety = 0, maximum anxiety = 10.

Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. This is a subjective linear scale. No fatigue = 0, maximum fatigue = 10.

Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. This is a subjective linear scale. No relaxation = 0, maximum relaxation = 10.

Absorption will be measured as the two components of hypnosis. We will measure absorption and dissociation using the Visual Analogical Scales (VAS). VAS is from 0 to 10. 0 is not absorbed and 10 is really absorbed. When responding to a VAS item, participants will be asked to specify their level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points.

Dissociation will be measured as the two components of hypnosis. We will measure absorption and dissociation using the Visual Analogical Scales (VAS). When responding to a VAS item, participants will be asked to specify their level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points.

Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). Participants answer "true" or 'false" at each items (34). The subject's score is simply the number of items marked "true".

Satisfaction questionnaire created by our lab to understand if patients have a good adherence about the tool or not. Some items should be marked as "yes" or "not" and some items are marked from 1 ("not at all") to 7 ("enormously")

Inclusion Criteria: Burn patient treated as outpatient Burn surface area > or = 5% of the total body surface area mainly 2nd degree burn Exclusion Criteria: Psychiatric antecedents Claustrophobia Heavy hearing Visual impairment Face burn Conjunctivitis Consent not obtained