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‘Virtual experience’ as an intervention before a positron emission tomography/CT scan may ease patients’ anxiety and improve image quality
Author(s) -
Sun Yuyun,
Sun Yifei,
Qin Yue,
Zhang Yingjian,
Yuan Huiyu,
Yang Zhongyi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1754-9485
pISSN - 1754-9477
DOI - 10.1111/1754-9485.13078
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , intervention (counseling) , image quality , trait anxiety , positron emission tomography , physical therapy , radiology , psychiatry , image (mathematics) , artificial intelligence , computer science
The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of a ‘virtual experience’ on reducing people’s anxiety levels and improving image quality. Methods This study included 200 people who underwent 18 F‐FDG PET/CT scan for the first time. Healthy people ( n = 100) and patients ( n = 100) were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group. In the intervention group, we used a ‘virtual experience’ as an intervention before the scan. We used the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and satisfaction questionnaires for evaluation. Additionally, the image quality was analysed. Results In the control group, more patients presented anxiety than healthy people (26(52%) versus 15(30%)) ( P = 0.041). However, when the ‘virtual experience’ was provided, the number of cases of anxiety in the patient group decreased to 19(38%). Furthermore, patients in the intervention group had lower STAI‐related scores than those in the control group (STAI‐S: 37.08 ± 9.42 versus 43.34 ± 10.49, P = 0.109; STAI‐T: 36.24 ± 9.55 versus 40.72 ± 9.00, P = 0.019). With respect to image quality, people who had higher STAI‐related scores were more likely to have unqualified images. Conclusion A ‘virtual experience’ provided by an audio‐visual installation can ease patients’ anxiety and improve image quality.