A smoking cessation induction intervention via virtual reality headset during a dental cleaning: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Effective smoking cessation programs exist but are underutilized by smokers, especially by disadvantaged smokers. Cessation interventions in dental settings have been shown to be effective, but are not consistently delivered due to provider burden and lack of training, especially on how to counsel smokers who are not motivated to quit.

METHODS

This study is a 2-arm, phase III longitudinal randomized controlled efficacy trial to motivate utilization of evidenced based treatments (EBTs) for smoking cessation (e.g., state quitline, clinic-based counseling, the National Cancer Institute's text message program, and pharmacotherapy). Patients attending an urban dental clinic (n = 376) will be randomized to an intervention group (INT; smoking cessation induction video delivered via VR headset during their teeth cleaning, brochure about EBTs, and a 4-week text message program) or control group (CTRL; relaxation video delivered via VR headset during teeth cleaning, the same brochure as INT, and assessment-only text messages). Assessments will occur at baseline, immediately after the clinic appointment, one-month post-appointment and 3-and 6 months later. We hypothesize INT will be more likely to contact EBTs vs CTRL and have greater utilization rates of EBTs. Secondary objectives are to test the efficacy of INT on point-prevalence smoking abstinence, quit smoking attempts, and motivation to quit vs. CTRL.

DISCUSSION

Incorporating smoking cessation into a dental clinic visit and targeting all smokers, regardless of motivation to quit, provides proactive reach to cigarette smokers who otherwise may not seek treatment for smoking.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04524533 Registered August 24, 2020.

Thermal comfort and virtual reality headsets

This study proposed to investigate the thermal properties and subjective thermal discomfort of five virtual reality headsets, and their relationships. Twenty-seven university students used each of the five headsets for 45 min. Microclimate temperature and relative humidity were measured by miniature dataloggers. Infrared thermography was used to measure temperature distribution on the contact points between user's face and the headsets. Participants reported subjective thermal discomfort associated with using each headset. The average microclimate temperature and relative humidity increased by 7.8 °C and 3.5% respectively after headset use. Overall subjective thermal discomfort increased along with duration of use and came primarily from the display. Applying the linear mixed-effects model showed that subjective thermal discomfort is positively correlated with duration of use, microclimate temperature, relative humidity and display coverage area. Conversely, thermal discomfort is negatively correlated with total coverage area, with microclimate temperature acting as the most significant contributing factor. The headsets were ranked by pairing the objective measurements with subjective evaluations.

Virtual reality in cardiopulmonary resuscitation training: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Experimental, analytic, cross-sectional study of a CPR training method using VR. Participants were randomly assigned to train in a control group or a VR group.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) scores on a scale of 10 after training were 9.28 (0.91) in the VR group and 7.78 (1.63) in the control group, for a mean difference of 1.49 (95% CI, 0.96-2.02; P<.001). The VR group achieved a mean of 97.5 (9.7) compressions/min, versus 80.9 (7.7) compressions/min in the control group, for a mean difference of 16.6 compressions/min (95% CI, 15.0-18.2; P=.003). The mean compression depth in the VR group was 34.0 (6.5) mm, versus 27.9 (4.9) mm in the control group, for a mean difference of 6.7 (95% CI, 5.7-7.8; P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Training with VR can improve CPR theoretical knowledge and practical skills.