Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions for Perioperative Anxiety in Adults: A Systemic Review With...

Area of Science:

• Medical Interventions
• Digital Health
• Patient Care

Background:

• Surgical anxiety is common in adults, potentially increasing anesthesia needs and complications.
• Virtual Reality (VR) is explored as a non-pharmacological method to alleviate perioperative anxiety.
• This review assesses VR's efficacy in reducing anxiety for elective surgery patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) in decreasing perioperative anxiety in adult surgical patients.
• To evaluate VR as an intervention for managing pre-anesthesia anxiety and improving patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched four databases (inception-July 2024) for experimental and quasi-experimental studies on VR for perioperative anxiety.
• Included 11 studies (8 RCTs, 3 quasi-experimental); synthesized data using random effects meta-analysis and narrative synthesis.

Main Results:

• The meta-analysis found a small, non-significant reduction in preoperative anxiety with VR (SMD -0.29).
• Most studies indicated VR reduced anxiety and improved patient satisfaction, but heterogeneity was moderate (I²=47%).
• Results for secondary outcomes like VR side effects, stress, preparedness, satisfaction, and hospital stay were inconsistent.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence is limited to support VR for reducing adult perioperative anxiety.
• Larger sample sizes and high-quality RCTs with standardized measures are necessary.
• Further research is needed to definitively establish VR's role in perioperative anxiety management.