Abstract
T53
Introduction: When patients are going through their battles with cancer, treatments and scans place anxieties at an all time high. PET/CT scans are a source of some anxiety due to extensive wait times for the scan, enclosed spaces of the scanner, and even just the fear of unknown results. This can make imaging days some of the most stressful times for our patients. Developing a more comforting environment for our patients during their scans may prove to be useful especially in patients with high anxiety levels and particularly those patients who are claustrophobic. Patients who are claustrophobic are sometimes unable to complete his/her respective scans and must be medicated, which can be challenging for those technologists working in an outpatient setting. Furthermore, this leads to scheduling issues and patients being unnecessarily exposed to radiation if they are unable to complete the scan, and have to undergo repeat imaging. Considering all of this information, it is critical that more investigative research is undertaken in discerning how to reduce patient anxiety levels. One such method is utilizing a projector in order to cast images on the PET/CT gantry to give the patient a distraction and something to focus on which would overall improve patient satisfaction and reduce stress levels.
Methods: Our facility used a projector to perform projection mapping on the exterior of our oncology PET/CT and ceiling of our PET imaging suite. Structures were mapped onto the front of the gantry, inside of the bore, and on our PET imaging suite ceiling. External gantry mapping was to provide animated artistic imagery while internal bore projections were attempted to create a more open feeling environment. After casting the blank image onto the surface, we plugged in a computer and used PowerPoint to sketch out a rough draft of the outline of the gantry and ceiling contours, with the final masks modified using a Wacom drawing tablet and photo editing software. Once the mask was finalized for that projector location, videos or images could easily be applied onto the mask and projected onto the gantry. Calming images were selected and technologist volunteers provided the initial assessments of increased open feeling of the gantry and general aesthetics of the project mapping.
Results: Projected images inside the bore were noted by technologists to improve the open feeling of the gantry. Front-side projections displaying holiday patterns were noted to show vibrantly and provide a feeling that the images were custom set for the scanner/ceiling or emanating from those areas.
Conclusions: We believe this framework may be a unique way to help reduce claustrophobia and anxiety levels for patients. Future testing will test the final graphics on patient anxiety levels using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety assessments.
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