Southampton Hospital Uses Virtual Reality to Ease Patient Anxiety

Patients at University Hospital Southampton are finding it easier to prepare for surgery thanks to new virtual reality technology that helps explain medical procedures. A study of 150 patients found that using the equipment to visualise their treatment significantly reduced anxiety and improved their understanding of what to expect.

The research focused on patients scheduled for shockwave lithotripsy, a non-invasive procedure used to break down kidney stones. During the virtual reality experience, patients enter a digital operating room where they view a 3D demonstration. They can move around the room to examine surgical instruments and zoom in to see exactly how the high-energy sound waves affect the kidney stones inside the body.

This initiative was led by consultant urological surgeons Professor Bhaskar Somani and Dr Amelia Pietropaolo, with the technology developed by Phoebe Reynolds, director of the UK-based company Surgassists. The findings were presented on 13 March 2026 at the European Association of Urology Congress in London by Solomon Bracey, a medical student at the University of Southampton.

Researchers noted that the anxiety-reducing benefits were especially helpful for patients aged 65 and over. This is particularly important because experts report that about 6 in 10 adults in England struggle to understand complex medical information, which can make it difficult for them to provide fully informed consent for their care.

Given the connection between anxiety, understanding, and how much pain a patient feels, the team is now planning to investigate whether this approach could also help improve pain management during procedures. As the hospital continues to explore these digital tools, the focus remains on ensuring patients feel confident and well-informed before their treatment begins.