JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Clinically elevated preoperative distress and anxiety are common among cancer surgery patients. Preoperative interventions have been developed to mitigate this distress and anxiety, but are inconsistent in efficacy and/or feasibility for broad implementation.

Objective:

This preliminary pilot study assessed the feasibility and utility of a newly developed virtual reality (VR) intervention to expose patients awaiting breast cancer surgery to the operating room environment and a simulation of induction of anesthesia.

Methods:

Breast cancer surgery patients (N = 7) were assigned to the intervention (VR) or control (treatment as usual) group and completed self-report measures of distress and anxiety before surgery, on the day of surgery, and after surgery (5 & 30 days postoperatively). Those in the intervention group trialed the VR simulation 1-2 weeks preoperatively and provided qualitative and quantitative feedback. We assessed the feasibility of recruitment capability and study design and evaluated participant impressions of the intervention with self-report rating scales and open-ended questions. We also descriptively examined distress and anxiety levels across the duration of the study.

Results:

Recruitment occurred between December 2021-December 2022 and progressed slowly (rate: 1 participant per 7 weeks, on average; some hesitancy due to stress/overwhelm). All participants who consented completed the entire study. In general, the intervention was rated favourably and as helpful. Participants described the intervention as realistic, impacting their degree of preparedness and expectations for surgery, and having a calming/relaxing effect.

Conclusions:

This preoperative VR intervention demonstrated preliminary feasibility among a breast cancer surgery sample. Results and participant feedback will inform modifications to the VR intervention and the study design of a large-scale RCT to examine the efficacy of this intervention. Clinical Trial: NCT04544618 (preliminary analysis of registered feasibility/pilot study)