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 χ² 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.