Virtual Reality Reduces Pre-Procedural Anxiety in TEER Patients, But Timing Seems Crucial

Abby Geerlings

Status: Completed

Conditions: TriClip; Mitral Regurgitation; Mitraclip; Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR); Anxiety; Virtual Reality

Treatments: Behavioral: Standard Education plus Virtual Reality (VR)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07263659

W21_185#21.239

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding virtual reality (VR) education to standard pre-procedural information on anxiety levels in patients scheduled for MitraClip or TricuspidClip procedures. Participants will receive either standard pre-procedural information or standard information supplemented with a VR experience that explains the procedure and hospital environment. The main outcomes will include changes in patient-reported anxiety before and after the procedure. The goal of this study is to determine whether the use of VR can improve patient understanding, reduce procedural anxiety, and enhance overall well-being

Enrollment: 75 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults scheduled for elective mitral (M-TEER) or tricuspid (T-TEER) transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Insufficient proficiency in Dutch.
• Severe visual or auditory impairment that would prevent full engagement with the VR content.
• Any mental or physical condition that, in the judgment of the clinical team, significantly interferes with participation (e.g., advanced cognitive decline, acute psychological distress, or inability to tolerate wearing a VR headset).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

75 participants in 2 patient groups

Control Group - Standard Education

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive standard pre-procedural education according to the hospital's routine practice. This includes verbal and written information provided by the healthcare team about the MitraClip or TricuspidClip procedure, preparation, and aftercare.

VR Group - Standard Education plus Virtual Reality (VR)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive the same standard pre-procedural education as the control group, supplemented with an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience. The VR session provides a visual and interactive explanation of the procedure and hospital environment to enhance understanding, reduce anxiety, and improve the overall patient experience.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard Education plus Virtual Reality (VR)