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Curietherapy User eXperience Pilot Study (CurieUx): A Feasibility Study of a Novel Augmented Reality Educational Tool
David J Byun1, Elisa K Liu2, Olivier Maisonet2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Radiation Oncology, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, Hartford, Connecticut.
Purpose:
Improved communication by clinicians at the initial consultation may reduce anxiety and psychological burden of cancer treatment. Based on our pilot qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with patients with breast cancer, we developed Curietherapy User eXperience (CurieUx), an educational tool integrating augmented reality display technology into radiation oncology consultations.
Methods And Materials:
We developed an interactive 3-dimensional hologram using an augmented reality desktop display. Animated modules on patient-specific anatomy (breast, regional lymph nodes, and organs-at-risk), simulation, linear accelerator, and positioning (prone and breath holding techniques) were created. Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer undergoing initial radiation oncology consultation were prospectively enrolled. Likert scale surveys on anxiety (National Institute of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), radiation knowledge, and augmented reality experience (modified IBM technology usability survey) were administered to patients before and after consultation.
Results:
A total of 40 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were enrolled in this proof-of-concept study at a median age of 67 years. Patients reported decreases in multiple components of anxiety after consultation with the CurieUx platform, including in fearfulness (2.13 vs 1.78; P = .003), uneasiness (2.28 vs 1.82; P = .008), nervousness (2.41 vs 2.06; P = .005), and tenseness (2.28 vs 1.87; P = .004). Patients reported significant increases in radiation knowledge across multiple domains, including treatment machine (2.35 vs 4.7; P < .001), radiation (2.7 vs 4.58; P < .001), positioning (2.49 vs 4.68; P < .001), and confidence (2.4 vs 4.3; P < .001). An overwhelming majority of patients had positive experiences (4 or 5 on Likert scale) using the CurieUx hologram display as part of consultation, including its ease of understanding (97%), clarity (93%), comfort (100%), value (97%), and satisfaction (97%).
Conclusions:
CurieUx is a valuable educational tool that reduces patient anxiety and promotes radiation knowledge. In this feasibility study, the vast majority of patients found the incorporation of CurieUx into the existing radiation oncology consultation practice to be a valuable addition to the process.
