L Ganry1, B Hersant2, M Sidahmed-Mezi2, G Dhonneur3, J P Meningaud2. 1. Department of maxillofacial, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, Henri-Mondor hospital, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. Electronic address: laurentganry@hotmail.fr. 2. Department of maxillofacial, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, Henri-Mondor hospital, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. 3. Surgical intensive care unit, trauma center, department of anesthesiology and critical care medicine, université Paris-Est Créteil, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Henri-Mondor Hospital, 94010 Créteil, France.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anxiety may lead to medical and surgical complications, behavioral problems and emotional distress. The most common means of prevention are based on using medication and, more recently, hypnosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether a virtual reality (VR) program presenting natural scenes could be part of a new therapy to reduce patients' preoperative anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our prospective pilot study consisted of a single-blind trial in skin cancer surgery at the Henri-Mondor teaching hospital in France. In the outpatient surgery department, 20 patients with a score of >11 on the Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) were virtually immersed into a natural universe for 5minutes. Their stress levels were assessed before and after this experience by making use of a visual analog scale (VAS), by measuring salivary cortisol levels, and by determining physiological stress based on heart coherence scores. RESULTS: The VAS score was significantly reduced after the simulation (P<0.009) as was the level of salivary cortisol (P<0.04). Heart coherence scores remained unchanged (P=0.056). DISCUSSION: VR allows patients to be immersed in a relaxing, peaceful environment. It represents a non-invasive way to reduce preoperative stress levels with no side effects and no need for additional medical or paramedical staff. Our results indicate that VR may provide an effective complementary technique to manage stress in surgery patients. Randomized trials are necessary to determine precise methods and benefits.
INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anxiety may lead to medical and surgical complications, behavioral problems and emotional distress. The most common means of prevention are based on using medication and, more recently, hypnosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether a virtual reality (VR) program presenting natural scenes could be part of a new therapy to reduce patients' preoperative anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our prospective pilot study consisted of a single-blind trial in skin cancer surgery at the Henri-Mondor teaching hospital in France. In the outpatient surgery department, 20 patients with a score of >11 on the Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) were virtually immersed into a natural universe for 5minutes. Their stress levels were assessed before and after this experience by making use of a visual analog scale (VAS), by measuring salivary cortisol levels, and by determining physiological stress based on heart coherence scores. RESULTS: The VAS score was significantly reduced after the simulation (P<0.009) as was the level of salivary cortisol (P<0.04). Heart coherence scores remained unchanged (P=0.056). DISCUSSION: VR allows patients to be immersed in a relaxing, peaceful environment. It represents a non-invasive way to reduce preoperative stress levels with no side effects and no need for additional medical or paramedical staff. Our results indicate that VR may provide an effective complementary technique to manage stress in surgery patients. Randomized trials are necessary to determine precise methods and benefits.
Authors: Triton L Ong; Matthew M Ruppert; Maisha Akbar; Parisa Rashidi; Tezcan Ozrazgat-Baslanti; Azra Bihorac; Marko Suvajdzic Journal: Crit Care Explor Date: 2020-06-08
Authors: Arif Musa; Alex K Wong; Jahan Tajran; Daniel Chen; Jeffrey C Wang; Ricardo Engel; Christopher Cooke; David Safani; Rana Movahedi; Madison Wheaton; Gligor Gucev Journal: Aesthetic Plast Surg Date: 2021-02-17 Impact factor: 2.326