Heart surgery can be a daunting experience for patients, particularly older individuals undergoing their first open-heart procedure. Recent research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights the potential of virtual reality (VR) to alleviate preoperative anxiety in this demographic. The study indicates that immersive VR is not only effective but also well tolerated by older patients, offering a nonpharmacological alternative to traditional anti-anxiety medications.
"This research represents a step forward in improving the patient experience and potentially using this approach to optimize postoperative recovery," stated Jordan Miller, Ph.D., a cardiovascular disease researcher at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study.
Cardiac surgeons Joseph Dearani, M.D., and John Stulak, M.D., both involved with the study, emphasized the critical role of emotional state before and after cardiac surgery. "We currently offer music and massage therapy after cardiac surgery because we know what a negative impact high anxiety has on recovery from surgery. Our team is now exploring broader implementation of VR — which can be used at any time and place, inside or outside the hospital — throughout the surgical episode to further evaluate its impact on clinical outcomes."
The study included 100 participants scheduled for open-heart surgery. Each participant underwent an anxiety test before and after experiencing VR on the day of their procedure. Half were assigned to use a VR tablet while the other half used immersive VR goggles. Both groups experienced a 10-minute nature scene with guided breathing exercises designed to reduce stress.
Results showed that both interventions lowered pulse rates among participants but did not affect respiration rate or oxygen levels. Anxiety scores decreased by an average of 2 points with tablet use and 2.9 points with VR goggles, demonstrating significant improvements in several anxiety-focused questions.
Overall, these findings suggest that VR could play a crucial role in making surgeries less stressful for patients by reducing preoperative anxiety.
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