This study will pilot test and explore the feasibility of a virtual reality simulation of the operating room environment to reduce anxiety/distress in cancer surgery patients. Study objectives are to evaluate recruitment and data collection procedures, outcome measures, participant feedback on the virtual reality operating room intervention, and the inclusion of a treatment as usual group, and effects of the intervention on symptoms of anxiety/distress. Results of this study will inform the design of an upcoming larger-scale RCT to assess the efficacy of this intervention
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
23
The virtual reality simulation will begin with the participant sitting on a hospital bed wearing the virtual reality headset and holding the controllers. Participants will be oriented to the environment and provided with an explanation of how to navigate through the simulation (for approximately 2 minutes). Next, participants will explore the virtual operating room for a minimum of 5 minutes, or longer if desired. Following the exploration period, the scripted portion of the simulation will be begin. Here, participants will be taken through the mock anesthetic induction process (the virtual anesthetist will speak to the patient and walk them through the steps and the virtual nurse will assist). The simulation ends after the virtual oxygen mask is placed over the participant's mouth and the screen darkens.
Health Sciences Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Self-reported impressions of the virtual reality operating room simulation
Patient acceptability questionnaire with open and close-ended items assessing patients' impressions of the intervention
Time frame: Baseline
Self-reported impressions of the virtual reality operating room simulation
Patient acceptability questionnaire with open and close-ended items assessing patients' impressions of the intervention
Time frame: 5 days
NCCN Distress Thermometer
VAS self-reported distress on a scale of 0-10
Time frame: Baseline, up to 2 weeks after baseline on day of scheduled surgery, 5 days, and 30 days
NCCN Anxiety Thermometer
VAS self-reported anxiety on a scale of 0-10
Time frame: Baseline, up to 2 weeks after baseline on day of scheduled surgery, 5 days, and 30 days
iGroup Presence Questionnaire
Assessing the sense of presence experienced by participants in the virtual environment
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention
Preoperative Intrusive Thoughts Inventory (PITI)
PITI questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and up to 2 weeks after baseline on day of scheduled surgery
Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS)
APAIS questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and up to 2 weeks after baseline on day of scheduled surgery
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