Using immersive technology and architectural design to assist head and neck cancer patients' recovery from treatment: A focus group and technology acceptance study

Kathleen Greenway; Caterina Frisone; Andrea Placidi; Sanjay Kumar; Will Guest; Stuart C Winter; Ketan Shah; Catherine Henshall

doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102261

Using immersive technology and architectural design to assist head and neck cancer patients' recovery from treatment: A focus group and technology acceptance study

Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2023 Feb:62:102261. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102261. Epub 2022 Dec 22.

Authors

Kathleen Greenway¹, Caterina Frisone², Andrea Placidi³, Sanjay Kumar⁴, Will Guest⁵, Stuart C Winter⁶, Ketan Shah⁷, Catherine Henshall⁸

Affiliations

¹ Oxford Institute of Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straws Lane, Marston, Oxford, OX3 OFL, UK. Electronic address: kgreenway@brookes.ac.uk.
² Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. Electronic address: cfrisone@brookes.ac.uk.
³ Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. Electronic address: aplacidi@brookes.ac.uk.
⁴ Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Psychology, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. Electronic address: skumar@brookes.ac.uk.
⁵ Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, School of Computing and Communication Technologies, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK. Electronic address: 16102434@brookes.ac.uk.
⁶ University of Oxford, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon, Oxford Cancer Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK. Electronic address: Stuart.Winter@ouh.nhs.uk.
⁷ Oxford Cancer Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK. Electronic address: Ketan.Shah2@ouh.nhs.uk.
⁸ Oxford Institute of Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straws Lane, Marston, Oxford, OX3 OFL, UK. Electronic address: chenshall@brookes.ac.uk.

PMID: 36716531
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102261

Abstract

Purpose: Head and neck cancer patients can face debilitating treatment related side-effects, resulting in requirement for support and negatively impacting on care outcomes. This study aimed to develop a digital recovery support package and assess its acceptability with head and neck cancer patients to support their information needs and assist with their self-management. It provided additional support through development of a WebXR platform 'recovery' package, which allowed patients to live a 'virtual reality' experience, entering and moving inside a 'virtual room', accessing targeted resources and specific learning materials related to their cancer.

Method: A qualitative intervention development study consisting of three phases. This study followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative research. Phase 1- Focus groups with seven head and neck cancer patients and six healthcare professionals. Phase 2- Development of 'recovery' package based on the focus group data which informed the content and design of the WebXR recovery platform. Phase 3- Technology acceptance study. Once developed, the platform's acceptability of the experience lived inside the virtual room was assessed via qualitative interviews with six different patient participants.

Results: Most participants felt comfortable using the virtual reality platform, finding it a realistic and useful support for identifying resources and signposting to relevant materials. Participants agreed the WebXR platform was a feasible tool for the head and neck cancer setting and helped reduce anxiety.

Conclusions: Head and neck cancer patients welcome specific targeted, information and advice to support their ability to self-manage their rehabilitation and thus focus their nursing care. The platform was implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating its versatility and accessibility in providing complementary support to head and neck cancer patients, to empower them to adjust to their 'new' normal as part of their ongoing cancer journeys.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer; Immersive technology; Self-management; Virtual reality; WebXR technology.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Focus Groups
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Pandemics
Qualitative Research