Cancer, Patient Education, Radiation Therapy
Conditions
Keywords
Patient Education, Virtual Reality, Anxiety, Depression
Brief summary
Radiation therapy is an important treatment for cancer, but patients receiving radiation therapy for the first time may experience anxiety because they are unfamiliar with the treatment process, equipment, and possible side effects. This study evaluated whether a 360-degree virtual reality patient education program could improve radiation therapy knowledge and reduce anxiety and depression among first-time radiation therapy patients. Participants received either virtual reality education or conventional nurse-led education. Knowledge, anxiety, and depression were assessed before and after the educational intervention.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL360-Degree Virtual Reality Patient Education
Participants received a 360-degree virtual reality patient education module before radiation therapy. The module introduced the radiation therapy environment, treatment procedures, preparation, and side-effect management using a head-mounted display.
BEHAVIORALConventional Nurse-Led Patient Education
Participants received standard face-to-face patient education delivered by nurses before radiation therapy. The education included explanations of radiation therapy procedures, treatment preparation, treatment environment, and side-effect management.
Sponsors
Asia University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This was a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, two-group parallel study. Participants were assigned to either a 360-degree virtual reality patient education group or a conventional nurse-led education group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participants aged 20 years or older * Patients with cancer who received radiation therapy for the first time * Received radiation therapy for treatment sites located below the head and neck, without restriction regarding cancer stage
Exclusion criteria
* Visual or hearing impairment that prevented comprehension of educational information * Abnormal skin conditions of the head or face that caused difficulty with equipment use * Inability to tolerate VR equipment * Head and neck cancer
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Radiation Therapy Knowledge Score | Baseline and immediately following CT simulation | Radiation therapy knowledge was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Higher scores indicate greater knowledge of radiation therapy procedures, treatment preparation, and side-effect management. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater radiation therapy knowledge. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Anxiety Score Assessed by HADS-A | Baseline, immediately following CT simulation, and immediately following the fifth radiation therapy session | Anxiety was assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety. |
| Change in Depression Score Assessed by HADS-D | Baseline, immediately following CT simulation, and immediately following the fifth radiation therapy session | Depression was assessed using the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression. |
Countries
Taiwan
Outcome results
None listed