ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S4178

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2025

2444

Proffered Paper The Effects Of Virtual Reality-Based Education For Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: a mixed-methods study Eva Pape 1,2 , Tim Hubo 2 , Brecht Metten 2 , Ludwig Van den Berghe 1 , Fréderic Duprez 1 , Valerie Fonteyne 1 , Yolande Lievens 1 , Vincent Tambeur 1 , Ben Vanneste 1 , Ann Van Hecke 2 , Katrien Vandecasteele 1 1 Radiotherapy-oncology, Ghent university hospital, Ghent, Belgium. 2 University center for nursing and midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Purpose/Objective: It is essential for patients to have a clear understanding and realistic expectations about their radiotherapy treatment. However, complex medical language and limited patient comprehension often lead to increased anxiety [1]. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to improve patient education by providing an interactive and visual experience that may reduce anxiety and enhance comprehension [2]. This study evaluated the impact of VR-based education on anxiety and information levels in first-time radiotherapy patients. Material/Methods: A mixed-methods convergent design was employed, including oncology patients receiving their initial radiotherapy in the pelvic region. Forty-one patients were recruited through consecutive sampling and divided into two groups: 18 in the intervention group (VR session) and 23 in the control group (standard education). The VR session utilized the Virtual Environment RadioTherapy (VERT) program to deliver an interactive education session. The quantitative phase consisted of a pre-and post-test design. In this phase, validated questionnaires were administered to assess anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) and perceived information levels (EORTC QLQ-INFO25). Data analysis included Mann-Whitney U tests to compare group differences, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests for within-group changes, and linear regression to explore demographic and baseline anxiety impacts. In the exploratory qualitative part Semi-structured interviews with intervention participants provided in-depth insights. Data was analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s approach [3]. Results: Inclusion was challenged by patients' reluctance to make additional hospital visits. Quantitative analysis showed no statistically significant differences in state anxiety or patient information levels between pre- and post-tests or between the intervention and control groups. Pre-test trait anxiety proved to be a significant predictor of post-test state anxiety levels. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) effects of VR, (2) characteristics of the intervention, (3) recommendations of participants and (4) standard of care. Here, participants reported that VR based education sessions helped reduce anxiety and improved their overall treatment experience through the ability to visualize and better understand the treatment procedure. Conclusion: Although quantitative measures did not indicate a significant reduction in anxiety or improvement in information levels, qualitative insights suggest that VR-based education has value in enhancing patients’ experience. The ability to visualize and better understand treatment procedure appears to support patient comfort and readiness, highlighting that VR can be a beneficial supplement to traditional educational methods in radiotherapy settings.

Keywords: Virtual reality, education

References: [1] Dong, S., Butow, P., Costa, D. P., Dhillon, H. M., & Shields, C. G. (2014). The influence of patient-centered communication during radiotherapy education sessions on post-consultation patient outcomes. Patient Education and Counseling, 95(3), 305–312.