3274 - Reducing Radiotherapy Anxiety: Video-Guided Education on the Radiotherapy Process

12:45pm - 02:00pm PT

Hall F

Screen: 7

POSTER

Presenter(s)

Ya-Yun Yu, MD - China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taichung

T. C. Lin¹, W. N. Tsai², Y. J. Hsiao², C. W. Lin², X. P. Liao², M. H. Su², C. H. Huang², Y. S. Chang³, Y. Y. Yu¹, and J. A. Liang¹; ¹Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan, ²China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan, ³China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan

Purpose/Objective(s):

Radiotherapy patients often experience anxiety due to a lack of understanding of the treatment process. This is exacerbated by busy hospital environments and limited time for detailed explanations. To address this, we developed a patient-centered video that guides patients through the entire radiotherapy process, from the principles of RT equipment to the first treatment session. Our goal is to reduce patient anxiety by improving their understanding of radiotherapy and to enhance patient education through the use of technology.

Materials/Methods:

This study assessed patient anxiety and radiotherapy knowledge using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a validated 15-item RT knowledge questionnaire. The HADS, a 14-item self-report scale, comprises seven anxiety (HADS-A) and seven depression (HADS-D) items. We utilized a validated Traditional Chinese version of the HADS adapted for the local population. The RT knowledge questionnaire addressed the basic mechanisms of radiotherapy, common side effects, and the treatment process. Both instruments have been previously validated. Patients completed both questionnaires twice: on the day of cast and simulation, and again during the second week of treatment. Paired t-tests, ANOVA, and Chi-square tests were applied to analyze the change in HADS and RT knowledge questionnaire scores at the two time points.

Results:

Of the 62 patients initially enrolled, 58 with complete data were included in the analysis. The cohort predominantly comprised patients who were women (78%), aged 41-60 years (59%), and had breast cancer (55%). Most patients had at least a senior high school education (86%). Compared to baseline, anxiety scores (HADS-A) significantly decreased (6.3 vs 5.3, P = 0.0026), while RT knowledge scores improved (10.3 vs 12.3, P < 0.001). Depression scores (HADS-D) remained unchanged statistically. Main results are shown in the Table. Furthermore, Chi-square tests revealed no correlation between patient characteristics (age, gender, education level, occupation, cancer site, and stage) and improvements in either HADS-A or RT knowledge scores.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that video-guided patient education significantly improved radiotherapy knowledge and reduced anxiety levels among patients. The findings validate the use of the HADS and a dedicated RT knowledge questionnaire as effective tools for assessing anxiety and knowledge levels in this context. Furthermore, this study establishes a precedent for integrating the in-house-developed educational video into the routine nursing care process for patients on their first visit to our department.

Abstract 3274 - Table 1: Change in HADS and RT knowledge scores from pre-RT to interim-RT: paired t-test results (n=58)

	HADS-A	HADS-D	RT knowledge questionnaire
Score range	0-21	0-21	0-15
Pre-RT mean score (SD)	6.3 (4.3)	5.2 (3.7)	10.3 (3.2)
Interim-RT mean score (SD)	5.3 (3.7)	4.8 (3.9)	12.3 (2.2)
P-value	0.0026	0.28	<0.001