Virtual reality, the start of a new era for patient education in cardiology?. (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hooglugt, J.Q; Oudkerk Pool, M.D; Mulder, B.J.M; De Winter, R.J; Bouma, B.J; Winter, M.M
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 41:(2020)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: e-Health; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Anxiety, perceived in patients undergoing percutaneous cardiac intervention is a known problem, which is negatively correlated with quality of life, adherence to recommended clinical practice and medication, health promoting behavior, hospitalization, and patient experience and satisfaction. Hence, preprocedural interventions to alleviate anxiety are interesting. While preoperative education interventions were proven to be effective as anxiety reduction modality, especially those modalities that provide immersive experience appeared to be even more effective within this context. Given the non-invasive nature of these modalities and the introduction of innovative techniques such as Virtual Reality (VR), the question arises whether VR can be successfully introduced as an effective tool to alleviate anxiety in cardiology patients undergoing PFO or ASD closure. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to alleviate pre-procedural anxiety in patients undergoing percutaneous PFO or ASD closure using a VR film as an innovative and immersive patient education modality. Methods: Patients were randomized to either the VR-group or the control group. The control group received traditional patient information by their cardiologist. The intervention group additionally viewed a 4-minute VR-film, that was designed to create a representative patient-experience of the day of the procedure. The primary outcome was patient anxiety in the VR group compared to the control group, as measured with anxiety scores derived from the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. Measurements were performed directly after the informed consent visit and one week prior to the procedure. Secondary outcome measure was the duration of anesthesia during the procedure. Results: In total 40 patients have been included (mean age = 45 yrs ± 11, male = 21), mean FU duration = 37 days ± 23). So far, 27 patients (VR-group n=14; Control group n=13) completed follow-up. At baseline the control and intervention group were equally anxious (37±9 vs 38±14). During follow-up we found a significant increase in anxiety in the control group (37±9 vs 46±12; p=0.034; figure 1), whereas anxiety in the VR-group remained unchanged (38±14 vs 36±9; figure 1). One week prior to the procedure, the control group was significantly more anxious compared to the VR group (+ 11±4; p=0.012; figure 2). The mean duration of the anesthesia was significantly shorter within the VR-group in comparison with the control group (57±10 min vs 71±18 min; p=0, 029). This may be an indication that decreased anxiety could have beneficial effects on the complete duration of anesthesia. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that immersive VR patient education is both innovative and effective in alleviating anxiety prior to a cardiological procedure and may have beneficial effects on patient experience and anesthesia duration. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding source: None