The Effects of 360-degree Virtual Reality on Pre-procedural Anxiety in Patients Awaiting Elective Cardiac Surgery Involving a Sternotomy

Launched by ACADEMISCH MEDISCH CENTRUM - UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM (AMC-UVA) · Aug 14, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) can help reduce pre-procedural anxiety in patients who are waiting for elective heart surgery that requires opening the chest (sternotomy). Patients often feel anxious before surgery, which can lead to a longer recovery and other complications. By using VR, this study aims to see if experiencing a virtual tour of their surgical journey can make patients feel calmer compared to traditional methods of patient education.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 18 years old and scheduled for elective cardiac surgery involving a sternotomy. However, those who have had previous heart surgeries, have certain other heart conditions, or face language and communication barriers cannot participate. If you join the study, you will be randomly assigned to either the VR experience or standard patient education and will help researchers understand if VR can be an effective tool in easing surgery-related anxiety.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients awaiting elective cardiac surgery involving a sternotomy
• • 18 years or older
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Under the age of 18
• • History of previous cardiac surgery
• • (concomitant) aortic surgery
• • Cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects
• • Hearing or visual impairments
• • Language barriers (inability to understand, speak or read Dutch)
• • History of severe mental or psychiatric disorders