Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project
Published on: November 12, 2009
Effects of Virtual Reality-guided Imagery Relaxation Intervention in Improving Anxiety Among Lung Cancer Patients: A
Huiqin Li1, Fengxia Liu1, Shujun Li1
1The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China.
Purpose:
To examine the effectiveness of virtual reality-guided imagery relaxation (VRGI) intervention in reducing anxiety among lung cancer surgery patients.
Methods:
In a randomized clinical trial, 98 patients were assigned to a control group (CG) receiving routine treatment and staged care in thoracic surgery, or an experimental group (EG) receiving additional VRGI in addition to the CG's protocol. Anxiety (using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and physiological stress markers [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR)] were assessed on the day of admission (T1), immediately before surgery (T2), and at discharge (T3).
Results:
A total of 98 participants were recruited and randomized to the CG (n=53) and EG (n=45). The age [β, 6.29; p = .005], education level (β, 5.57; p = .011), awareness of the disease (β, 6.11; p = .007), and gender (β, 5.75; p = .018) were the major influencing factors of preoperative anxiety. Compared with the CG, the EG showed a smaller increase in State Anxiety Inventory (SAI, t = 2.20; p = .003), SBP (t = 2.75; p = .007), DBP (t = 2.53; p = .013), and HR (t = 2.17; p = .033) at T2, and significant decreases in SAI (t = 4.79; p < .001), SBP (t = 3.25; p = .0027), DBP (t = 2.96; p = .004), and HR (t = 4.26; p < .001) at T3. The results of the repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated statistically significant differences in the SAI score, SBP, DBP, and HR across time effect, group effect and time × group interaction effect (p < .05), with the EG exhibited superior outcomes.
Conclusion:
VRGI is a feasible and effective intervention for reducing perioperative anxiety and physiological stress in lung cancer surgery patients, warranting further large-scale trials.
Trial Registration:
This study is retrospectively registered with the ITMCTR (identifier: ITMCTR2025001481, registered 26 July 2025). http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/zh-CN/UserPlatform/ProjectView?Pid=48c26a67-4e2b-4aea-a504-f379602513b0.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:22Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...