Virtual Reality Education Before CyberKnife Treatment for Prostate Cancer

November 6, 2026 updated by: University Hospital Ostrava

Virtual Doctor's Assistant: A Study of Virtual Reality Education Before Treatment to Improve Understanding in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing CyberKnife Radiotherapy

This randomized controlled study evaluates virtual reality education for men aged 40 to 80 years with prostate cancer who are scheduled for CyberKnife radiotherapy at the University Hospital Ostrava. Participants are assigned in a 1:1 ratio to standard patient education alone or standard education supplemented by the Virtual Doctor's Assistant. The virtual environment reproduces the CyberKnife treatment room and explains the equipment, the treatment process, and the importance of consistent bladder and rectal preparation. The study aims to reduce stress before treatment and improve patients' understanding of the procedure and preparation requirements. Cancer treatment itself is unchanged. Outcomes will be assessed using patient questionnaires.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Patients preparing for radiotherapy need to understand both the treatment procedure and the steps they should take before each treatment session. For prostate radiotherapy, consistent bladder and rectal filling is an important component of treatment preparation. Unfamiliarity with the treatment room and equipment may also contribute to stress before the first irradiation.

The Virtual Doctor's Assistant is a virtual reality (VR) educational system developed to supplement the information provided by the treating physician. Using a VR headset, participants enter a computer-generated representation of the CyberKnife treatment room. A virtual doctor introduces the main components of the equipment, explains the treatment process, and demonstrates how preparation affects the anatomical relationships between the prostate, bladder, and rectum.

Men with prostate cancer scheduled for CyberKnife radiotherapy at University Hospital Ostrava will be assigned at random to one of two groups, with an equal probability of receiving standard education alone or standard education supplemented by VR. The radiotherapy procedure will follow standard clinical practice in both groups. Participation is voluntary, and participants may discontinue the VR experience or withdraw from the study.

The study will compare patient-reported psychological well-being and understanding of treatment and preparation requirements between the groups All measurements will be conducted using standardized collection protocols and under consistent environmental and procedural conditions to ensure reproducibility and comparability of data.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Lukáš Knybel, Assoc.Prof., Ing., Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 2125 +42059737
  • Email: lukas.knybel@fno.cz

Study Locations

  • Czechia
    • Moravian-Silesian Region
      • Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czechia, 708 52
        • Recruiting
        • University Hospital Ostrava
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Lukáš Knybel, Assoc.Prof., Ing., Ph.D.
          • Phone Number: 2125 +42059737
          • Email: lukas.knybel@fno.cz
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Lukáš Knybel, Assoc.Prof., Ing., Ph.D.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Andrea Šoltisová, Bc.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • David Pakizer, Mgr., Ph.D.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

40 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male patients aged 40 to 80 years
  • Diagnosis of prostate cancer
  • Indication for CyberKnife SBRT at the Oncology Department of University Hospital Ostrava
  • Written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Not signing the informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: VR-assisted education

Study subjects randomised in this arm will receive VR-assisted education.
Other: VR-assisted education

VR-assisted education will be provided for study subjects randomised in this intervention group.

Procedure: Stereotactic radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical radiation therapy that uses precisely focused beams of high-dose radiation to treat small tumors, lesions, or functional abnormalities
Active Comparator: Standard education

Study subjects randomised in this arm will receive standard education.
Procedure: Stereotactic radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical radiation therapy that uses precisely focused beams of high-dose radiation to treat small tumors, lesions, or functional abnormalities

Other: Standard education

Standard education will be provided for study subjects randomised in this intervention group.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Understanding of CyberKnife radiotherapy and preparation requirements
Time Frame: On Day 1 of the treatment - after completion of patient education and before the first irradiation

The primary outcome measure is to assess and compare patients' understanding of CyberKnife radiotherapy and preparation requirements between the VR-assisted education group and the standard education group. Understanding will be assessed using the five-item knowledge test in Part 2 of the study-specific questionnaire. Each correct answer will receive one point, yielding a total score from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating better understanding. The questions cover the treatment schedule, bladder and rectal preparation, the importance of consistent anatomical conditions, the consequences of inadequate preparation, and cooperation during irradiation.
On Day 1 of the treatment - after completion of patient education and before the first irradiation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patient-reported clarity of education and perceived understanding
Time Frame: On Day 1 of the treatment - after completion of patient education and before the first irradiation

Patients' perceptions of the clarity of the information provided, their ability to anticipate the first irradiation, and their understanding of preparation requirements will be assessed using Part 1 of the questionnaire. Four items are rated on a five-point agreement scale, from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree), with lower scores indicating more favourable responses. A separate three-category item assesses whether patients perceive their understanding to have improved following education. Responses will be compared between groups and analysed separately.
On Day 1 of the treatment - after completion of patient education and before the first irradiation
Patient-reported psychological responses before the first irradiation
Time Frame: Before the first CyberKnife treatment fraction

Current stress, concerns about the treatment room experience, and confidence in knowing what to expect during treatment will be assessed using the three separate numerical rating scales in Part 3 of the questionnaire. Each item is rated from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate greater stress, greater concerns, and greater confidence, respectively. Each item will be analysed separately and compared between groups.
Before the first CyberKnife treatment fraction
Patient-reported usefulness and tolerability of VR education
Time Frame: Before the first CyberKnife treatment fraction, referring to the preceding VR education session

Part 4 of the questionnaire will assess the VR group's perceptions of how VR helped them visualise the treatment room, understand treatment and preparation requirements, and reduce concerns. Willingness to recommend VR education will also be assessed. These four items use a five-point agreement scale, from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree). A separate categorical item records discomfort experienced during VR use, including nausea, dizziness, or other symptoms. Responses will be analysed descriptively within the VR group.
Before the first CyberKnife treatment fraction, referring to the preceding VR education session
Adequacy of patient preparation and treatment workflow
Time Frame: Before the 1st fraction

Patient preparation will be evaluated indirectly by assessing prostate position on pre-treatment X-ray images acquired before each CyberKnife treatment fraction. Prostate localisation will be based on implanted fiducial markers. Deviations from the planned reference position will be recorded and compared between the VR-assisted education group and the standard education group.
Before the 1st fraction

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University Hospital Ostrava

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Lukáš Knybel, Assoc.Prof., Ing., Ph.D., University Hospital Ostrava

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
November 2, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 6, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • FNO-ONK-VDA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is no plan to make individual participant data accessible, the data may be provided upon reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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