Virtual Reality (VR) Tour to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety Before Anaesthesia (VR OP- tour)

Virtual Reality (VR) Tour to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety Before Anaesthesia in an Operating Setting: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Anxiety and apprehension are common among patients prior to surgery. This anxiety can lead to additional discomfort, increased pain sensation and increased stress symptoms. Virtual exposure has proven to be successful in exposure therapy for the treatment of the narrowest patients. Patients are not confronted with the real stimuli or situations that trigger the branches, but with virtual representations of them. Virtual reality (VR) makes it possible to create scenarios that would not be possible in reality because of the organisational, time or financial expenditure involved.The effectiveness of virtual stimulus exposure is well documented, especially in the case of object or situation-related fears in the context of specific phobias. It is therefore obvious that virtual stimulus exposure could also be suitable for minimising operation-associated fears.The research project described is designed to investigate the effect of virtual stimulus exposure on perioperative anxiety. For this purpose, a virtual tour of the operating setting has been created, which enables patients to explore the surroundings in detail by means of VR glasses.

Anxiety and apprehension are common among patients prior to surgery. This anxiety can lead to additional discomfort, increased pain sensation and increased stress symptoms. Virtual exposure has proven to be successful in exposure therapy for the treatment of the narrowest patients. Patients are not confronted with the real stimuli or situations that trigger the branches, but with virtual representations of them. Virtual reality (VR) makes it possible to create scenarios that would not be possible in reality because of the organisational, time or financial expenditure involved.The effectiveness of virtual stimulus exposure is well documented, especially in the case of object or situation-related fears in the context of specific phobias. It is therefore obvious that virtual stimulus exposure could also be suitable for minimising operation-associated fears.The research project described is designed to investigate the effect of virtual stimulus exposure on perioperative anxiety. For this purpose, a virtual tour of the operating setting has been created, which enables patients to explore the surroundings in detail by means of VR glasses.

standardised anaesthesia information sessions, consisting of a detailed explanation of the anaesthesia procedure by the anaesthetist A specific information sheet is used to explain the procedure and the form of anaesthesia. This corresponds to the current procedure before an operation.

standardised anaesthesia information sessions, consisting of a detailed explanation of the anaesthesia procedure by the anaesthetist A specific information sheet is used to explain the procedure and the form of anaesthesia.Subsequently, the patients are shown a virtual tour of the operation using VR glasses. This includes the way through the clinic to the operating theatre: Admission -> inpatient preparation for the operation -> administration of premedication -> way to the operating theater -> OP preparation (holding) -> safe surgery

Inclusion Criteria: all patient undergoing anaesthesia without the following exclusion criteria Exclusion Criteria: < 18 years cancer surgery pregnancy postoperative setting ICU neurosurgery Thorax surgery

Vogt L, Klasen M, Rossaint R, Goeretz U, Ebus P, Sopka S. Virtual Reality Tour to Reduce Perioperative Anxiety in an Operating Setting Before Anesthesia: Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Sep 1;23(9):e28018. doi: 10.2196/28018.