Multimedia health education to alleviate anxiety in patients with vitreous floaters

Vitreous floaters (VF) are common and typically benign but may cause significant anxiety due to misinterpretation of symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured multimedia health education in reducing anxiety among patients with VF and to identify factors associated with anxiety severity.

This prospective quasi-randomized controlled study was conducted between December 2023 and April 2025. Patients with symptomatic VF were allocated to an enhanced multimedia education group or a standard care group based on calendar week. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state), and visual-related quality of life (VRQoL) was measured using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) at baseline and 3 months. Between-group differences in STAI-state change (ΔSTAI-state) were analyzed, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed adjusting for baseline values. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate-to-severe anxiety.

A total of 309 participants completed the study. Both groups showed significant reductions in STAI-state scores; however, the reduction was significantly greater in the multimedia group (ΔSTAI-state: -5.22 vs. -1.09), with a between-group difference of -4.13 (95% CI: -5.21 to -3.05, p < 0.001). ANCOVA confirmed significantly lower follow-up anxiety levels in the intervention group (p < 0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in VRQoL. Patients with higher education levels exhibited greater anxiety reduction. Factors such as older age, higher education, higher trait anxiety, and diabetes were independently associated with moderate-to-severe anxiety.

Structured multimedia health education is more effective than standard counseling in reducing anxiety among patients with VF. These findings highlight the importance of optimized physician-patient communication as a non-invasive strategy to address psychological distress in benign ophthalmic conditions.