Acceptability of a virtual tour for anxiety alleviation in PET-CT - A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: This paper introduces a novel use of a Virtual Tour (VT) in a pilot study to test its acceptability for patients referred for their first PET-CT. It is clear from recent systematic reviews that moderate to high levels of anxiety are present in most patients that have a PET-CT. A VT may reduce the procedural anxiety for patients. METHODS: The design of the single centre single arm pilot study focusses on three measures: an anxiety questionnaire, taken before and after the intervention; heart rate during the VT and PET-CT; and finally comments to improve the tour and quantitative measures of the participants experience on the VT by interview. The intervention comprises of 360-degree video and images of the PET-CT patient pathway. RESULTS: Participants rated the VT positively (4.30 ± 0.80/5) with moderate perceived benefit (3.05 ± 0.76/5; 5 is scored if the participant felt they could not have completed the PET-CT without it). Heart rate (HR) was significantly lower during the PET-CT compared to the VT (p = 0.01). Through interview, 95 % of participants had positive comments about the VT, 90 % and 80 % found that the VT was an appropriate length and had appropriate locations included respectively. CONCLUSION: Results confirm potential acceptability of the current iteration of the intervention and feedback has been provided on areas to improve the VT. The VT should be tested with a multicentre study to confirm our results. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A VT displayed on a VR Headset is acceptable and has the potential to alleviate anxiety in patients referred for their first PET-CT. This is important to improve patient experience and sustain adequate image quality due to minimal anxiety related movement.