Virtual Therapy as a Method Supporting the Cardiac Rehabilitation

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy as a Method Supporting the Cardiac Rehabilitation

This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing second stage of cardiac rehabilitation. Half of the study group will receive VR therapy (VR group) as an addition to cardiologically monitored physical training. The other half of the group (control group) will receive Schultz Autogenic Training as a standard supplement to cardiological training.

Cardiologically monitored physical training in second stage of cardiac rehabilitation leads to the improvement in the physical capacity and overall fitness of the patients with Coronary Artery Disease, allowing restoration of independence in daily functioning. Psychological support is required in order to reduce the negative psychological symptoms related to both the heart disease itself and the cardiac surgery performed. In this study the investigators want to assess the effectiveness of the virtual reality (VR) therapy compared to standard psychological support (Schultz Autogenic Training). Thanks to using head mounted display and the phenomenon of total immersion VR therapy allows to completely separate the patient from the hospital environment, provides an intense visual, auditory and kinesthetic stimulation. Depending on the stage of therapy it can have a calming and mood-improving effect or, in another part of the therapy, it can motivate the patient to the rehabilitation process. The additional aim of the VR therapy is to help the patients regain their emotional balance, let them recognize their psychological resources and trigger the natural recovery mechanisms. The goals of the project: The evaluation of the influence of VR therapy on the depressive symptoms and the anxiety level of the patients undergoing second stage of cardiac rehabilitation. The evaluation of the influence of VR therapy on the stress level of the patients undergoing second stage of cardiac rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular Diseases, Coronary Artery Disease, Depressive Symptoms, Mood Disorders, Anxiety State, Stress

virtual reality, cardiac rehabilitation, psychotherapy, cardiac surgery, depression, anxiety, stress, elderly, Coronary Artery Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease

Four weeks of cardiac rehabilitation conducted in an outpatient care facility. Three times per week (80 minutes per day) cardiologically monitored aerobic training consisting of: 40 minutes of interval training on a cycloergometer and 40 minutes of general fitness exercises.

8 sessions of VR therapy (each of them 20 minutes long). As a virtual reality source, VR Tier One device (Stolgraf®) were used. Thanks to using head mounted display and the phenomenon of total immersion VR therapy provides an intense visual, auditory and kinesthetic stimulation. It can have a calming and mood-improving effect or help the patients recognize their psychological resources and motivate to the rehabilitation process. In the virtual therapeutic garden there are a rich set of symbols and metaphors based on Ericksonian Psychotherapy approach. The most important is the Garden of Revival which symbolizes the patient's health. It used to be full of life and energy, now it is neglected, requires work to be revived. In the therapeutic process day by day, the therapist tells the patient a symbolic story about his/her situation. By performing tasks in the virtual garden, the patient becomes an active participant of the therapeutic process and sees the effects his/her work.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a fourteen-item scale scoring from 0 to 3 for each item. The first seven items relate to anxiety (HADS-A), and the remaining seven items relate to depression (HADS-D). The global scoring ranges from 0 to 42 with a cut-off point of 8/21 for anxiety and 8/21 for depression. The higher the score, the greater anxiety or depression symptoms. HADS will be performed at the beginning and after four weeks of treatment.

The Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) is a 27-item scale scoring from 1 to 5 for each item. 21 items examine the level of stress in the area of emotional tension, external stress and intrapsychic stress, and 6 items refer to the lie scale. The global scoring for perception of stress ranges from 21 to 105 with a cut-off point of 60 for high level of perceived stress. The higher the score, the greater the sense of stress. PSQ will be performed at the beginning and after four weeks of treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: Coronary Artery Disease; the second stage of cardiac rehabilitation conducted in outpatient settings; anxiety symptoms scored 8 and more in HADS-A or depressive symptoms scored 8 and more in HADS-D. Exclusion Criteria: cognitive impairment (MMSE<24); inability to self-complete the research questionnaires; presence of the following issues at the time of the examination or in the medical data: disturbances of consciousness, psychotic symptoms or other serious psychiatric disorders; initiation of psychiatric treatment during the research project; contraindications for virtual therapy (epilepsy, vertigo, eyesight impairment); the patient's refusal at any stage of the research project.

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