Development and Evaluation of a Cost-Effective Virtual Reality Tool for Patient Education Before Radiotherapy Treatment

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> We proposed a cost-effective tool using an immersive and simple virtual reality (VR) technique. We aim to investigate if patient education using this tool before radiotherapy treatment would (a) reduce the negative emotions, (b) increases knowledge and positive experience, (c) reduce positioning time and (d) improve positioning accuracy. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> One 360-degree video was filmed and edited for recording an example of successful radiotherapy process. The explanation about the process and relaxing music were also added to the video immediately. It was then made ready to view in VR glasses. VR glasses were set up for patients who prepared for radiotherapy. Twenty patients treated with radiotherapy in the chest area were randomized to either standard care (control group) and a teaching session combining VR glasses (intervention group). The control group needed physician communication of the patient's radiotherapy process before first treatment. The intervention group needed to wear the VR glasses before first treatment to understand the radiotherapy process. All patients then completed a questionnaire when the first treatment finished. The questionnaire s similar to the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). They were asked to grade their emotional distress, depression, anxiety, the knowledge and positive experience, etc. The positioning time and positioning accuracy were also evaluated. <h3>Results</h3> The negative emotion scores are slightly higher in control group compared with intervention. The intervention group achieves a better knowledge and positive experience. There are no significant differences in positioning time between two groups. Comparisons of positioning accuracy before CBCT calibration shows an improvement in the intervention group compared to the control group. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The VR tool can contribute to an immersive experience for patients receiving radiotherapy. Implementation of VR education for patients before radiotherapy was successful in improving knowledge and positive experience and reducing negative emotions. VR education may be a supplement to image guiding, helping patients to obtain a more precise position during radiotherapy.