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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07598851

Virtual Reality Education for Radiation Therapy Patients

Radiation therapy is an important treatment for cancer, but patients receiving radiation therapy for the first time may experience anxiety because they are unfamiliar with the treatment process, equipment, and possible side effects. This study evaluated whether a 360-degree virtual reality patient education program could improve radiation therapy knowledge and reduce anxiety and depression among first-time radiation therapy patients. Participants received either virtual reality education or conventional nurse-led education. Knowledge, anxiety, and depression were assessed before and after the educational intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Cancer Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Mental Disorders Neoplasms Patient Education Radiation Therapy

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Jen-Ai Hospital

Taichung, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants aged 20 years or older
  • Patients with cancer who received radiation therapy for the first time
  • Received radiation therapy for treatment sites located below the head and neck, without restriction regarding cancer stage

Exclusion criteria

  • Visual or hearing impairment that prevented comprehension of educational information
  • Abnormal skin conditions of the head or face that caused difficulty with equipment use
  • Inability to tolerate VR equipment
  • Head and neck cancer

Treatment and study plan

Conventional Nurse-Led Patient Education

Behavioral

Participants received standard face-to-face patient education delivered by nurses before radiation therapy. The education included explanations of radiation therapy procedures, treatment preparation, treatment environment, and side-effect management.

360-Degree Virtual Reality Patient Education

Behavioral

Participants received a 360-degree virtual reality patient education module before radiation therapy. The module introduced the radiation therapy environment, treatment procedures, preparation, and side-effect management using a head-mounted display.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Radiation Therapy Knowledge Score

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately following CT simulation

    Radiation therapy knowledge was assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Higher scores indicate greater knowledge of radiation therapy procedures, treatment preparation, and side-effect management. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater radiation therapy knowledge.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Anxiety Score Assessed by HADS-A

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately following CT simulation, and immediately following the fifth radiation therapy session

    Anxiety was assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.

  2. Change in Depression Score Assessed by HADS-D

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately following CT simulation, and immediately following the fifth radiation therapy session

    Depression was assessed using the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Asia University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Virtual Reality Patient Education Before Radiation Therapy: Effects on Knowledge, Anxiety, and Depression in First-Time Patients

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 20, 2026
Registry last updated
May 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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