This preprint is under consideration at Trials. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Study protocol
The Use of Virtual Reality to Reduce Stress among Night-Shift Anesthesiologists: Study Protocol for a Cross-Over Trial
Ziqing Hei
Corresponding Author
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Because of the lack of anesthesia workforce, anesthesiologists are forced to work overtime and more night shifts; this can disturb their biological rhythm and cause severe stress and depression, potentially leading to negative and even devastating outcomes for both themselves and patients. Virtual reality (VR), which is a new method to reduce stress and pain for patients, has been widely used in biomedical fields. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential effectiveness of VR technology in reducing stress among night-shift anesthesiologists.
Methods: In this randomized controlled, crossover, single-center clinical trial, a total of 30 anesthesiologists will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 allocation to either the VR immersion group (intervention group) or the routine night-shift group (control group) with a washout of 1 week. Anesthesiologists in the intervention group will undergo VR immersion twice, while anesthesiologists in the control group will not watch VR videos during the night shift. The primary outcome will be the difference in the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) score between the two groups. Secondary outcomes will include the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), perceived stress scores (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scores; levels of satisfaction among the participants; incidence of arrhythmia; and incidence of chest tightness, headache, and palpitations.
Discussion: It is unknown whether the use of VR technology during the night shift can reduce stress among anesthesiologists. With the widespread use of VR technology, a positive result in this trial could spur hospitals to apply VR technology to reduce stress among night-shift doctors in every department and provide a relatively relaxed working environment.
Trial registration: ChiCTR2000031025
Keywords
Virtual reality, anesthesiologists, stress, work overload, night shift
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- WrittenConsent.docx
Additional file 1: Informed Consent Form
- Fundingdocumentation.tif
Additional file 3: Funding Documentation
- Checklist.docx
Additional file 4: SPIRIT checklist.
- SPIRITFigure.doc
Additional file 5: SPIRIT figure.
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 2
Posted 11 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 08 Feb, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 07 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 02 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Feb, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 02 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 01 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 01 Feb, 2021
Version (no preprint)
Posted 13 Jan, 2021
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 13 Jan, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Jan, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 15 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 03 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 03 Dec, 2020
This version was not preprinted
No comments provided
Editor assigned
On 15 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Revise before peer review
On 15 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 12 Nov, 2020
First submitted
On 05 Aug, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Learn more about our company.
This preprint is under consideration at Trials. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Study protocol
The Use of Virtual Reality to Reduce Stress among Night-Shift Anesthesiologists: Study Protocol for a Cross-Over Trial
Ziqing Hei
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 2
Posted 11 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 08 Feb, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 07 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Feb, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 02 Feb, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 02 Feb, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 02 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 01 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 01 Feb, 2021
Version (no preprint)
Posted 13 Jan, 2021
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 13 Jan, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Jan, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 15 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 03 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 03 Dec, 2020
This version was not preprinted
No comments provided
Editor assigned
On 15 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Revise before peer review
On 15 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 12 Nov, 2020
First submitted
On 05 Aug, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Because of the lack of anesthesia workforce, anesthesiologists are forced to work overtime and more night shifts; this can disturb their biological rhythm and cause severe stress and depression, potentially leading to negative and even devastating outcomes for both themselves and patients. Virtual reality (VR), which is a new method to reduce stress and pain for patients, has been widely used in biomedical fields. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential effectiveness of VR technology in reducing stress among night-shift anesthesiologists.
Methods: In this randomized controlled, crossover, single-center clinical trial, a total of 30 anesthesiologists will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 allocation to either the VR immersion group (intervention group) or the routine night-shift group (control group) with a washout of 1 week. Anesthesiologists in the intervention group will undergo VR immersion twice, while anesthesiologists in the control group will not watch VR videos during the night shift. The primary outcome will be the difference in the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) score between the two groups. Secondary outcomes will include the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), perceived stress scores (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scores; levels of satisfaction among the participants; incidence of arrhythmia; and incidence of chest tightness, headache, and palpitations.
Discussion: It is unknown whether the use of VR technology during the night shift can reduce stress among anesthesiologists. With the widespread use of VR technology, a positive result in this trial could spur hospitals to apply VR technology to reduce stress among night-shift doctors in every department and provide a relatively relaxed working environment.
Trial registration: ChiCTR2000031025
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3