Virtual Reality Education for Radiation Therapy Patients

NCT07598851 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 202400088B0
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Cancer; Radiation Therapy; Patient Education

Keywords

Patient Education; Virtual Reality; Anxiety; Depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Radiation Therapy Knowledge Score

  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.

  Baseline and immediately following CT simulation

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Anxiety Score Assessed by HADS-A

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

• Change in Depression Score Assessed by HADS-D

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

Study Arms (2)

360-Degree Virtual Reality Education Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: 360-Degree Virtual Reality Patient Education

Conventional Nurse-Led Education Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Behavioral: Conventional Nurse-Led Patient Education

Interventions

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.

Conventional Nurse-Led Education Group

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.

360-Degree Virtual Reality Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Asia University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jen-Ai Hospital

Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms; Anxiety Disorders; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: This was a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, two-group parallel study. Participants were assigned to either a 360-degree virtual reality patient education group or a conventional nurse-led education group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 11, 2026
• First Posted: May 20, 2026
• Study Start: November 6, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 5, 2025
• Study Completion: August 5, 2025
• Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TW (1)