Prospective trial using Virtual Vision as distraction technique in patients undergoing gastric laboratory procedures.
To determine whether distraction techniques using Virtual Vision, an audiovisual system integrated into a modified pair of glasses, improves tolerance to routine gastric laboratory procedures, a prospective study of 50 patients was done. Patients were allowed to view/hear a travelogue tape during testing. Patients and registered nurses, who performed the procedure, were asked their interpretation of Virtual Vision as a device that improved patient tolerance, impaired the patient's ability to follow directions, or impaired the nurse's ability to perform the procedure. Patients graded the procedure from 1 (unbearable) to 5 (reasonably comfortable) and were asked whether they would use the device for a repeat procedure. For those who had undergone previous procedures, patients were queried regarding their preference for routine testing or Virtual Vision. Improved tolerance to procedures was noted in 82% of the patients as perceived by nurses and patients. Eighteen percent of the nurses and 8% of the patients thought that the auditory insert and glasses impaired the patient's ability to cooperate with the test, whereas 88% and 86%, respectively, thought that Virtual Vision was a valuable distraction technique. Using an ordinal scale for testing tolerance, patients graded their test at a mean of 3.8 (SD 1.25) and 82% expressed a desire to use the system in conjunction with future testing. Twenty-six of 33 patients (79%) who had undergone previous gastric laboratory testing preferred distraction techniques using Virtual Vision to conventional testing. Distraction techniques using a system such as Virtual Vision have the potential to improve patient tolerance to routine gastric laboratory studies.
Kozarek
R A
RA
Section of Gastroenterology, Virginia Madison Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98111, USA.
Raltz
S L
SL
Neal
L
L
Wilbur
P
P
Stewart
S
S
Ragsdale
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013690:Television