Utilization of the Mirror During Pelvic Exams

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a prospective cohort study to determine if using a birthing mirror during the patient's pelvic examination decreases patients's degree of vulnerability and discomfort.

Detailed Description
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In Obstetrics and Gynecology and its gynecologic subspecialties, the pelvic examination is routine practice for screening and diagnostic purposes. Nevertheless, due to their intimate nature, pelvic examinations may result in loss of control, embarrassment, discomfort and anxiety. The mirror pelvic exam has been a proposed technique to decrease patient anxiety and improve comfort during an already uncomfortable examination. However, little research has focused on this modality to date. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the mirror pelvic exam decreases the level of vulnerability and discomfort experienced during the pelvic examination.

Official Title
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Utilization of the Mirror During Pelvic Exams: Does it Reduce Patient Vulnerability and Discomfort?

Conditions
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Pelvic Exam

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Usage of a mirror


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: New patients undergoing a pelvic exam performed by a physician at Cincinnati Urogynecology Associates, TriHealth Exclusion Criteria: Existing patients Unwillingness to participate in the study Physical or mental impairment that would affect the subject's ability to visualize the mirror during examination or to complete questionnaires Inability to understand English

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Mirror group<br>This group of patients agree to have the mirror pelvic exam, and they will undergo routine pelvic examination by a physician with the usage of a mirror in the room. | Other: Usage of a mirror<br>* using a mirror during the pelvic examination<br>|
| No mirror group<br>This group of patients decline a mirror, and they will undergo the standard pelvic examination. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Group Difference in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on Level of Vulnerability | VAS on vulnerability level will be measured after the pelvic exam, and group difference after controlling for baseline vulnerability, will be calculated. The VAS is a validated 100 millimeter scale with 'no vulnerability' represented as 0 mm and 'very vulnerable' equating to 100 mm. | 30 minutes after the pelvic exam | 
| Group Difference in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on Level of Pain/Discomfort | VAS on discomfort level will be measured after the pelvic exam, and group difference after controlling for baseline discomfort level, will be calculated. The VAS is a validated 100 millimeter scale with 'no pain' represented as 0 mm and 'most pain' equating to 100 mm. | 30 minutes after the pelvic exam |