Virtual Reality Videos in Improving Bowel Preparation Quality of Colonoscopy

Educational Virtual Reality Videos in Improving Bowel Preparation Quality and Satisfaction of Outpatients Intended for Colonoscopy: a Prospective Randomised Controlled Study

Colonoscopy is the most important method to screen for colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions, whose efficacy is closely related with the quality of bowel preparation, requiring consuming purgatives and restricting the diet. Compliance to bowel preparation is highly dependent on patient education. In most cases, such education is offered only once at the time of colonoscopy scheduling by either oral or written instructions. However, about one in fourth patients still cannot achieve satisfactory bowel preparation quality. Various methods, including booklet, telephone or message reminders, smartphone applications, social media, online videos, have been used to aid patient education and prove effective. These methods can increase patient activation, which is an independent factor related to bowel preparation quality. Virtual reality(VR) videos are used in this study, giving patients direct impressions of colonoscopy. This study aims to explore whether VR videos can increase patient adherence and experience, as well as improve bowel preparation quality, compared with conventional patient education methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Outpatients indicated for elective colonoscopy: 1) For screening purposes: asymptomatic patients with average or high risk for colorectal cancer[1]; 2) For diagnostic purposes: patients presented with abnormal imaging or lower gastrointestinal symptoms including bloody stool, chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain[2].
• Never undergo colonoscopy before.
• Age 18-75 years.
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of bowel surgery
• Comorbidity disorder (ascites, congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, coronary vessel disease within the last 6 months)
• Drug use (eg, constipation drugs, laxatives, or anti-diarrheal agents)
• Pregnancy
• Severe constipation (<3 bowel movement/week)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Unable to watch VR videos (eg, blindness)