360° Virtual reality to improve patient education and reduce anxiety towards atrial fibrillation ablation

• Published in: Europace (London, England) Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 855 - 862
• Main Authors: Hermans, Astrid N L, Betz, Konstanze, Verhaert, Dominique V M, den Uijl, Dennis W, Clerx, Kristof, Debie, Luuk, Lahaije, Marion, Vernooy, Kevin, Linz, Dominik, Weijs, Bob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 30.03.2023
• Subjects: Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - prevention & control; Atrial Fibrillation - diagnosis; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; Clinical Research; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Education as Topic; Prospective Studies; Virtual Reality; virtual reality; catheter ablation; worries; Atrial fibrillation; patient information provision
• ISSN: 1099-5129; 1532-2092; 1532-2092
• DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac246

Abstract Aims Evaluation of (i) the effects of a virtual reality (VR) preprocedural patient education video on information provision, procedure-related knowledge, satisfaction, and the level of worries in patients planned for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and (ii) the feasibility of a disposable cardboard VR viewer for home use in this setting. Methods and results In this prospective observational cohort study, patients were alternatively assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the control or VR group. Controls received standard preprocedural information. VR group received standard information and a VR video (via in-hospital VR headset and disposable cardboard). The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) together with additional questions concerning procedural experience and satisfaction was completed pre- and post-ablation. Of 134 patients [38.1% female, aged 66 (58–72) years] included, 49.2% were assigned to the control and 50.7% to the VR group. The number of patients that worried about the ablation procedure was lower in VR than in control patients (19.1% vs. 40.9%, P = 0.006). More VR females than males had worries about the procedure (34.8% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.026). The number of VR patients that were satisfied with the preprocedural information provision was higher post-ablation than pre-ablation (83.3% vs. 60.4%, P = 0.007). In total, 59.4% reported that the disposable cardboard was easy to use and led to a discussion with relatives in 68.8%. Conclusion In patients scheduled for AF ablation, a VR preprocedural educational video led to better information provision and procedure-related knowledge, higher satisfaction, and less worries regarding the procedure. The disposable cardboard was feasible for home use.