Does virtual reality in the preoperative setting for colorectal cancer surgery improve patient understanding? A randomized pilot study

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) enhanced radiology could help improve communication with colorectal cancer patients and therefore increase understanding in the perioperative setting. The objective of this pilot trial is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized control trial in terms of recruitment, use and acceptability of the VR technology and validity of data collection methods. METHODS: A prospective, single-centre randomized control trial was conducted at St John of God Midland Hospital in Western Australia from November to December 2021. After standard informed consent with their surgeon, elective patients planned for resection of colorectal cancer were randomized to either 'standard consent' (shown computed tomography (CT) images only) or 'VR consent' (shown CT images and immersive VR models). RESULTS: Nine patients were recruited (four control; five intervention). There was a trend towards improved patient reported understanding without reaching statistical significance. Most patients preferred the use of VR as compared to CT as an educational tool during the consent process (P = 0.03). There were no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: VR was well tolerated and patients enjoyed using the technology. Its use in an outpatient clinic setting for elective colorectal cancer surgery is feasible. Improvement in patient understanding using VR compared to standard consent processes in colorectal surgery should be tested in a statistically powered, high quality study design.