Abstract
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) offers immersive, realistic, three-dimensional experiences that “transport” users to novel environments. Because VR is effective for acute pain and anxiety, it may have benefits for hospitalized patients; however, there are few reports using VR in this setting.ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a diverse cohort of hospitalized patients.MethodsWe assessed the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a cohort of patients admitted to an inpatient hospitalist service over a 4-month period. We excluded patients with motion sickness, stroke, seizure, dementia, nausea, and in isolation. Eligible patients viewed VR experiences (eg, ocean exploration; Cirque du Soleil; tour of Iceland) with Samsung Gear VR goggles. We then conducted semistructured patient interview and performed statistical testing to compare patients willing versus unwilling to use VR.ResultsWe evaluated 510 patients; 423 were excluded and 57 refused to participate, leaving 30 participants. Patients willing versus unwilling to use VR were younger (mean 49.1, SD 17.4 years vs mean 60.2, SD 17.7 years; P=.01); there were no differences by sex, race, or ethnicity. Among users, most reported a positive experience and indicated that VR could improve pain and anxiety, although many felt the goggles were uncomfortable.ConclusionsMost inpatient users of VR described the experience as pleasant and capable of reducing pain and anxiety. However, few hospitalized patients in this “real-world” series were both eligible and willing to use VR. Consistent with the “digital divide” for emerging technologies, younger patients were more willing to participate. Future research should evaluate the impact of VR on clinical and resource outcomes.ClinicalTrialClinicaltrials.gov NCT02456987; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02456987 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6iFIMRNh3)
Highlights
Inpatient health care providers have recognized that patient management does not merely entail acute symptom management; hospitalized patients may experience anxiety, uncertainty, and boredom exacerbated by a radical change in living environment and loss of customary rights and privileges [1]
Common explanations included not understanding the purpose of Virtual reality (VR), feeling anxious about using the goggles, feeling too tired or too ill to participate, concerns about “losing control” of one’s personal environment at a time when control is already limited, and harboring concerns that VR is a “psychological experiment.”
VR is widely studied in outpatient settings for a variety of pain, affective, neurological, and behavioral conditions [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13], there is limited experience using VR in the general hospital setting
Summary
Inpatient health care providers have recognized that patient management does not merely entail acute symptom management; hospitalized patients may experience anxiety, uncertainty, and boredom exacerbated by a radical change in living environment and loss of customary rights and privileges [1]. VR devices provide immersive, realistic, three-dimensional experiences that “transport” users to novel environments. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, realistic, three-dimensional experiences that “transport” users to novel environments. Because VR is effective for acute pain and anxiety, it may have benefits for hospitalized patients; there are few reports using VR in this setting. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a diverse cohort of hospitalized patients. Methods: We assessed the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a cohort of patients admitted to an inpatient hospitalist service over a 4-month period. Patients willing versus unwilling to use VR were younger (mean 49.1, SD 17.4 years vs mean 60.2, SD 17.7 years; P=.01); there were no differences by sex, race, or ethnicity. Few hospitalized patients in this “real-world” series were both eligible and willing to use VR. ClinicalTrial: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02456987; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02456987 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6iFIMRNh3)
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