Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The Virtual Reality Tour : Immersive Preoperative Information for Elderly Patients

Lassen, Karsten Lomholt LU orcid ; Sjöberg, Carina LU ; Augustinsson, Annelie LU ; Joost, Maria ; Christiansen, Nanna Wagner ; Geisler, Anja LU and Jildenstål, Pether LU (2025) In Healthcare 13(22). p.1-13
Abstract

Background/Objectives: Older patients are more susceptible to the process of understanding and retrieving information. To provide adequate preoperative information, reduce their vulnerability and anxiety, and thereby facilitate pre-, intra-, and postoperative care, the adoption of new information technologies is essential. This study aimed to explore elderly patients' experiences and perceptions of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based preoperative informational tool designed for individuals scheduled to undergo TKA. Method: A qualitative content analysis was conducted from February to June 2025 based on 14 semi-structured post-discharge interviews. Participants were recruited as part of a randomized controlled trial. Results: One main theme and... (More)

Background/Objectives: Older patients are more susceptible to the process of understanding and retrieving information. To provide adequate preoperative information, reduce their vulnerability and anxiety, and thereby facilitate pre-, intra-, and postoperative care, the adoption of new information technologies is essential. This study aimed to explore elderly patients' experiences and perceptions of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based preoperative informational tool designed for individuals scheduled to undergo TKA. Method: A qualitative content analysis was conducted from February to June 2025 based on 14 semi-structured post-discharge interviews. Participants were recruited as part of a randomized controlled trial. Results: One main theme and two categories describe patients' experiences of using VR information, which is perceived as a valuable supplement to standard preoperative information. The category "Using VR as an information tool" includes how patients experienced the immersive environment, how it affected them, and their views on using the VR glasses. The category "Apply the information provided" described how patients evaluated and applied the VR content in relation to their expectations and the actual surgical experience. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality (VR) shows promise as a preoperative information tool, improving patients' understanding of the perioperative process and supporting engagement in their own care. Its effectiveness depends on reliable technical performance and adaptation to individual needs. VR should complement, not replace, communication with healthcare professionals. Further research is needed to identify optimal timing for VR delivery and its impact on preoperative anxiety and patient experience.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Healthcare
volume
13
issue
22
article number
2896
pages
1 - 13
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • scopus:105022888597
  • pmid:41302284
ISSN
2227-9032
DOI
10.3390/healthcare13222896
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
06663dc3-410b-4703-867a-1db1569f039c
date added to LUP
2025-12-02 14:58:10
date last changed
2025-12-17 05:39:44
@article{06663dc3-410b-4703-867a-1db1569f039c,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background/Objectives: Older patients are more susceptible to the process of understanding and retrieving information. To provide adequate preoperative information, reduce their vulnerability and anxiety, and thereby facilitate pre-, intra-, and postoperative care, the adoption of new information technologies is essential. This study aimed to explore elderly patients' experiences and perceptions of a Virtual Reality (VR)-based preoperative informational tool designed for individuals scheduled to undergo TKA. Method: A qualitative content analysis was conducted from February to June 2025 based on 14 semi-structured post-discharge interviews. Participants were recruited as part of a randomized controlled trial. Results: One main theme and two categories describe patients' experiences of using VR information, which is perceived as a valuable supplement to standard preoperative information. The category "Using VR as an information tool" includes how patients experienced the immersive environment, how it affected them, and their views on using the VR glasses. The category "Apply the information provided" described how patients evaluated and applied the VR content in relation to their expectations and the actual surgical experience. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality (VR) shows promise as a preoperative information tool, improving patients' understanding of the perioperative process and supporting engagement in their own care. Its effectiveness depends on reliable technical performance and adaptation to individual needs. VR should complement, not replace, communication with healthcare professionals. Further research is needed to identify optimal timing for VR delivery and its impact on preoperative anxiety and patient experience.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lassen, Karsten Lomholt and Sjöberg, Carina and Augustinsson, Annelie and Joost, Maria and Christiansen, Nanna Wagner and Geisler, Anja and Jildenstål, Pether}},
  issn         = {{2227-9032}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  number       = {{22}},
  pages        = {{1--13}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{Healthcare}},
  title        = {{The Virtual Reality Tour : Immersive Preoperative Information for Elderly Patients}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222896}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/healthcare13222896}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}