Virtual Reality Education Program to Reduce Anxiety During Radiation Therapy

Anxiety Clinical Trial

Official title: Pilot Study for the Development and Implementation of a Virtual Reality-based Radiation Therapy Education and Anxiety Mitigation Program

Status Terminated

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based education program with a form of patient education commonly provided by clinics (e.g., an educational video) at delivering education to breast cancer patients as they prepare for radiation therapy treatment. Self-evaluation questionnaires completed by participants will be used to measure changes in information needs and anxiety, stress, preparedness and satisfaction levels pre/post education between the VR-based education and video education groups in this study. Expanded access to the current VR-based education program will depend on licensing status for associated assets by interested parties.

Clinical Trial Description

Breast cancer patients experience anxiety, potentially reaching levels that are considered clinically-relevant. Prior research in this area has described the information needs of breast cancer patients at different time points as they proceed through the radiotherapy treatment process. Of high importance seems to be addressing patients' information needs through sensory and procedural information as a mechanism of anxiety reduction. The study team created an immersive VR-based education program that enables breast cancer patients to experience the procedure and emotions associated with radiation therapy prior to their actual treatment by offering controlled virtual exposure to the clinical environments involved in the treatment process. An educational video on the process of receiving radiation therapy is considered standard education at the majority of the clinical sites involved in this study. Participants enrolled in this study will be randomly assigned to either the VR-based education group or the video education group. Participation in this project will provide insight into aspects of patient education that are most effective at reducing anxiety and stress levels and meeting patients' information needs when undergoing radiation therapy treatment. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Anxiety
• Anxiety Disorders
• Information Needs
• Preparedness
• Satisfaction, Patient
• Stress

• NCT number: NCT04029961
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Medical College of Wisconsin
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 12, 2019
• Completion date: April 14, 2020