Radiotherapy Patient Education With Virtual Reality (RADIOACTIVE)

University of Miami

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cancer; Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: First-Person Virtual Reality Video; Behavioral: Two Dimensional (2D) Informational Video; Behavioral: Third-Person Virtual Reality Video

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06506435

20240355

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the impact of virtual reality experiences on individuals undergoing radiotherapy, aiming to assess whether this immersive technology can reduce anxiety and enhance patient overall treatment satisfaction. By comparing different virtual reality techniques and a standard informational video, the study seeks to identify optimal strategies for leveraging virtual reality to improve the patient experience during radiotherapy.

Enrollment: 150 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Histologically proven cancer
2. ≥18 years of age
3. Able to speak and read English and/or Spanish
4. Receiving radiotherapy at the University of Miami

Exclusion criteria

1. Prior radiation therapy
2. Pregnant or nursing women
3. Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
4. Patients unable to consent or are prisoners
5. Participants with impaired decision-making capacity
6. Any serious illness or medical condition that would compromise patient safety during virtual reality as judged by the treating physician
7. Unwilling or unable to watch virtual reality video
8. Unwilling to fill out survey forms

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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150 participants in 3 patient groups

Informational Video

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will watch a two-dimensional (2D) informational video that explains the radiation treatment process. Total participation is up to 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Two Dimensional (2D) Informational Video

Virtual Reality: 1st Person Perspective

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will have a virtual reality experience presented from a first-person perspective. Participants will wear a Meta Quest Pro virtual reality headset, immersing themselves in a scenario that replicates the radiation treatment process. Total participation is up to 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: First-Person Virtual Reality Video

Virtual Reality: 3rd Person Perspective

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will wear a Meta Quest Pro virtual reality headset and use virtual reality to observe the radiation treatment scenario from a standing position within the room, enabling them to witness both the CT scan and radiation machine from an external viewpoint. Total participation is up to 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Third-Person Virtual Reality Video