HoloVAD; A feasibility study of a new patient education tool for patients with a left ventricular assist device

Patient education for patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and their loved ones is crucial for improving adherence and reducing complications. HoloVAD is an innovative virtual education tool, which offers a preimplantation experience of life with an LVAD (Holomoves ©, The Netherlands). Our objective is to assess the feasibility, defined as acceptability, usability, and tolerability, of HoloVAD.

A cross-sectional, quantitative feasibility study was conducted among patients with an LVAD, and their loved ones.

In total 45 participants were included. Six out of the seven acceptability domains of the Unified Theory of Acceptance (UTAUT) were scored positively. With an excellent overall SUS-score (82.5) the HoloVAD application is assessed as usable for both groups, and tolerability is scored as positive at every point of the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ), for both groups.

HoloVAD is feasible - defined as being acceptable, usable, and tolerable -and represents a promising and helpful new education tool for the study population.

An LVAD is life-changing with high complication risks. HoloVAD is innovative because it integrates visualization and interaction through mixed reality, enabling a deeper understanding of life with an LVAD. This study highlights the feasibility of HoloVAD as a novel educational tool for patients and their loved ones.