Effect of Virtual Interactive Video-based Information Support for Relieving Preoperative Anxiety on Patients Undergoing Day Case Hysteroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Study

PURPOSE: The effect of virtual tour as a method of health education to alleviate preoperative anxiety remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Virtual Interactive Video-based Information Support (VIVBIS), which integrates virtual reality technology with information needs-oriented education, on reducing preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing day case hysteroscopy under general anesthesia. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. METHODS: From May to December 2023, a three-arm parallel randomized controlled trial design was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: VIVBIS (Group A), 2D videos (Group B), and conventional education (Group C) when receiving preoperative education. The primary outcome is the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) after the patient entered the operating room before general anesthesia induction. The secondary outcomes are systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate of patients before general anesthesia induction. FINDINGS: Ultimately, 233 patients were analyzed. The difference of preoperative anxiety levels (APAIS-A) was not statistically significant between Group A and Group B and Group C (7.99 ± 3.11 vs 9.18 ± 3.83 vs 8.90 ± 3.48, P > .05). The changes in anxiety scores before and after the intervention (∆ APAIS-A) were 0.24 ± 2.97 vs -0.28 ± 3.12 vs -0.16 ± 2.49, P greater than .05. While the impact of VIVBIS on preoperative information desire level (APAIS-I) showed superior to other two groups (Group A vs Group B vs Group C: 4.32 ± 1.95 vs 5.43 ± 2.18 vs 5.23 ± 2.12, P < .01). The changes in information desire before and after the intervention (∆ APAIS-I) were 1.49 ± 2.08 versus 0.67 ± 2.03 versus 0.90 ± 2.19, P < .05. For secondary outcomes, the systolic blood pressure values in the three groups were 122.30 ± 14.70, 120.24 ± 13.82, and 120.90 ± 11.73 mm Hg, respectively (P > .05). Diastolic blood pressure values were 77.86 ± 10.98, 74.39 ± 9.50, and 75.87 ± 8.98 mm Hg, respectively (P > .05). Pulse rates were 72.29 ± 11.80, 70.67 ± 11.34, and 74.27 ± 11.78 bpm, respectively (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: VIVBIS had a similar effect as 2D video and printed materials in reducing preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing day case hysteroscopy. VIVBIS effectively met the preoperative information needs of patients undergoing day case hysteroscopy.