Motivations and Psychological Characteristics of Nondirected Uterus Donors From The Dallas UtErus Transplant Study.

INTRODUCTION: Uterus transplantation has demonstrated success in clinical trials. Questions regarding how it should transition to a clinical procedure must be addressed. A critical element is an evidence regarding the psychological experiences of living uterus donors, especially donors who are nondirected (altruistic). PROJECT AIMS: To describe the motivations for donation, psychological characteristics, and mental health history of nondirected living uterus donors in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (NCT02656550). DESIGN: An observational design was used to evaluate 44 self-referred nondirected uterus donors for the uterus transplant program. The donors participated in a clinical interview with a licensed psychologist and completed assessment instruments for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, health-related quality of life, and resilience at the time of evaluation. RESULTS: Among the 11 donors, the median age was 36 years, 10 were married, 10 were of non-Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and all had given birth (median of 2 children). The most frequent motivations for the donation were to provide another woman with the opportunity to carry her own child and to contribute to science. No participants met clinical criteria for depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress but 4 reported current mental health conditions and 7 reported past or present treatment. Quality of life and resilience scores were above population norms. CONCLUSION: Women selected as nondirected uterus donors were motivated to help other women experience carrying their own child and to contribute to science. A minority of women reported mental health conditions and/or treatment, and this was determined not to exclude participation with uterus donation.

Nonpharmacologic Pain Management Among Hospitalized Inpatients: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial of Standard Virtual Reality (CGI VR) Versus Video Capture VR (360 degrees 3D/Stereoscopic Video Capture VR).

OBJECTIVES: Nonpharmacologic pain management strategies are needed because of the growing opioid epidemic. While studies have examined the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) for pain reduction, there is little research in adult inpatient settings, and no studies comparing the relative efficacy of standard animated computer-generated imagery (CGI) VR to Video Capture VR (360 degrees 3D/stereoscopic Video Capture VR). Here, we report on a randomized controlled trial of the relative efficacy of standard CGI VR versus Video Capture VR (matched for content) and also compared the overall efficacy of VR to a waitlist control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (N=103 hospitalized inpatients reporting pain) were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: (1) waitlist control, (2) CGI VR, or (3) Video Capture VR. The VR and waitlist conditions were 10 minutes in length. Outcomes were assessed pretreatment, post-treatment, and after a brief follow-up. RESULTS: Consistent with hypotheses, both VR conditions reduced pain significantly more relative to the waitlist control condition (d=1.60, P<0.001) and pain reductions were largely maintained at the brief follow-up assessment. Both VR conditions reduced pain by ∼50% and led to improvements in mood, anxiety, and relaxation. Contrary to prediction, the Video Capture VR condition was not significantly more effective at reducing pain relative to the CGI VR condition (d=0.25, P=0.216). However, as expected, patients randomized to the Video Capture VR rated their experience as more positive and realistic (d=0.78, P=0.002). DISCUSSION: Video Capture VR was as effective as CGI VR for pain reduction and was rated as more realistic.