How Virtual Reality is Revolutionizing Patient Care Prior to Surgery
Heart surgery is a serious medical experience that often triggers intense anxiety, particularly in elderly patients who are having their first surgery. A recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic and published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings has found that virtual reality (VR) can greatly reduce preoperative anxiety. While VR is often used in gaming and entertainment, this study indicates its increasing use in medicine—perhaps even in Laos.
Why Pre-Surgery Anxiety Is Important in Laos and Elsewhere
Severe pre-surgery anxiety is associated with longer recovery times, more pain, and increased medication use. Stress prior to an operation can affect patient outcomes in most hospitals across the globe, including those in Laos. Reducing anxiety through VR could provide an affordable, non-drug intervention that would supplement current healthcare services.
Study: VR Helps Heart Surgery Patients Remain Composed
Mayo Clinic scientists studied 100 patients undergoing open-heart surgery (Miller et al., 2024). Participants were divided into two groups:
- VR Headset Group – Patients wore a virtual reality headset and immersed themselves in a guided nature environment with breathing exercises.
- Tablet Group – Patients watched the same calming scene on a tablet screen.
The results showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels:
- Patients wearing VR goggles experienced a 2.9-point reduction in anxiety.
- Patients using the tablet saw their anxiety scores decrease by 2 points (Dearani & Stulak, 2024).
This demonstrates that both immersive VR and tablet-based relaxation experiences can help alleviate stress before surgery, offering hospitals flexible, non-invasive solutions for patient care.
A Drug-Free Alternative for Coping with Stress Before Surgery
In many clinical settings, preoperative anti-anxiety medication is prescribed, but it often comes with side effects and delayed recovery times. Virtual reality provides a drug-free, effective, and safe alternative that is easy to implement—even in older patients.
For individuals who experience motion sickness while using VR, tablet-based relaxation videos offer a viable substitute (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2024).
Can Virtual Reality Be Implemented in Laos Hospitals?
While this study was conducted in the U.S., it raises important questions about whether VR could be integrated into healthcare in Laos. Many hospitals and clinics across Southeast Asia are already exploring digital health solutions to improve patient care.
With the growing availability of affordable VR headsets and tablets, this technology could be introduced in Lao hospitals, particularly in major cities such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse.
Potential Healthcare Benefits in Laos
- Enhanced Patient Experience – VR can reduce anxiety before surgery, making the experience less stressful.
- Cost-Effective Implementation – As VR devices become more affordable, hospitals can adopt VR therapy at minimal cost.
- Flexibility for Rural Healthcare – Tablet-based relaxation videos could be introduced in smaller clinics and rural hospitals, where full VR setups may not be feasible.
The Future of VR in Preparing for Surgery
Mayo Clinic cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Joseph Dearani and Dr. John Stulak believe VR will play a major role in the future of preoperative care.
“Our group is now looking into wider application of VR—which can be accessed at any time and location, inside or outside the hospital—to further assess its effect on clinical outcomes” (Dearani & Stulak, 2024).
As medical technology evolves, could Laos be next to adopt VR for pre-surgery preparation? With the right investment and planning, VR could become a powerful tool in hospitals across the country—helping patients feel more comfortable, reducing stress, and improving surgical outcomes.
References
- Dearani, J., & Stulak, J. (2024). Virtual Reality as a Preoperative Anxiety Reduction Tool. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings. (2024). The Impact of Virtual Reality on Preoperative Anxiety in Cardiac Surgery Patients. Mayo Clinic Research.
- Miller, J., et al. (2024). Reducing Anxiety Before Heart Surgery: Virtual Reality Applications in Older Patients. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.