Study of the effects of virtual reality hypnosis as a pain and anxiety relief strategy in oncology patients undergoing a port-catheter placement procedure

The port-catheter (PAC) is a long-term venous access device, frequently used in oncology patients. The PAC placement procedure is an invasive technique, consisting of a reservoir surgically implanted in the chest wall or upper arm, and a catheter in the arm. Patients can experience pain in the incision area after implantation, as well as anxiety before, during and after implantation. Virtual reality hypnosis (VRH) is an innovative technique delivering clinical hypnosis to patients through virtual reality (VR). The clinical applications of VRH are still little known. In this study, we will assess anxiety and pain perception of 102 cancer patients scheduled to receive a PAC. The patients will be randomly divided into two groups. The first group will benefit from the usual care for the placement of the PAC (i.e., local anaesthesia), while the second will benefit from the VRH in addition to the usual care. Pain perception, pain unpleasantness, anxiety, comfort, satisfaction, absorption, dissociation will be evaluated before and after the intervention.