Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Education on Pre-treatment Anxiety, Post-treatment Experience, and Satisfaction Among Adult Patients Diagnosed With Cancer Receiving External Beam Radiotherapy in Oman

Introduction Cancer and its treatments often inflict considerable physical and psychological distress on patients, despite advancements in treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Among these treatments, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a common method that utilizes ionizing radiation to target and eradicate malignant cells. However, the experience can be daunting for patients, often leading to anxiety. To mitigate these adverse psychological effects, patient education has emerged as a crucial component of cancer care by providing patients with comprehensive information about their condition, the necessity for radiotherapy, and the technology involved, healthcare professionals can alleviate concerns and improve understanding. The abstract nature of radiation and its potential side effects can be difficult to visualize, leading to heightened anxiety and misperceptions. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing patient education and support in various healthcare settings. VR offers an immersive, computer-generated simulation of real or imagined environments, providing users with a sense of presence and interaction. In the context of cancer care, VR can illustrate the objectives and processes of radiotherapy in a visually compelling manner, which is difficult to achieve with traditional methods, by allowing patients to virtually experience the radiotherapy process. VR interventions have been associated with significant reductions in anxiety.

Cancer Care in Oman:

Cancer is a significant health concern in Oman and is the leading cause of death, accounting for 6% of all disease-related mortality. The Oman National Cancer Registry, established in 1985, plays a crucial role in monitoring cancer incidence and trends; as a result, cancer diagnosis notification has been mandatory since 2001, ensuring comprehensive data collection. Radiation therapy was not available in Oman; the government sponsored approximately 250 patients annually to receive radiation treatment abroad before 2004. The National Oncology Center (NOC) at the Royal Hospital in Muscat, launched in 2004, is the oldest center and treats around 70% of all cancer cases in Oman.

External Beam Radiotherapy External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is an external irradiation source, usually a linear generator, that is used in this procedure to precisely administer high levels of radiation to cancer regions while lowering the dosage to nearby healthy tissues. To meet patients' psychological and physical requirements as they progress throughout the complicated radiation treatment (RT) process, patient education is crucial. Patients may experience physical and psychological impacts from RT and cancer treatment. Many patients experience anxiety, particularly at the commencement of treatment. Traditional methods include slides, printed materials, and in-person interactions, as well as video materials that have improved patient satisfaction and decreased anxiety. Virtual Reality (VR) is a powerful tool for patient education, as immersive virtual experiences can decrease anxiety. Virtual integration of patient education in radiotherapy (VIPER), using videoconferencing, is a feasible and acceptable method for patient education. Although the combined client-provider decision-making guidelines allow the multidisciplinary healthcare team to repeat and strengthen training and give patients several chances to raise concerns, it can also result in unequal education, misunderstandings, and false presumptions. One typical emotional reaction to malignancy is anxiety while preparing for radiotherapy. Long before the initial consultation, patients want to know about the radiation process. A patient's request for details is influenced by several aspects, such as who they are interested in receiving it from, at what time they want it, and in what style. The Radiotherapy Experience Questionnaire (RTEQ) can measure how patients experience the external RT session process and the environment in the treatment room.

Virtual Reality in Healthcare: