Publications by authors named "Charlene Larkin"
Purpose: The Audiovisual-Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) trial was a prospective multicenter study (NCT03991156) examining the combination of video immersion with radiation therapy and was successfully conducted through the collaboration of pediatric radiation oncology teams at 10 institutions independent of any pre-existing consortium. We sought to analyze and report the methodology of trial conception and development, process map, and cost.
Methods And Materials: The study enrolled patients aged 3 to 10 years preparing to undergo radiation therapy, integrated the combination of AVATAR-based video immersion with radiation therapy at each institution, and offered AVATAR use as an alternative to anesthesia, with rates of anesthesia use and outcomes of serial standardized anxiety and quality-of-life assessments assessed among the 81 children enrolled.
Article Synopsis
- The AVATAR system is a new approach in radiation therapy designed to reduce the need for anesthesia in pediatric patients by using video distraction techniques.
- In a trial involving 81 children aged 3 to 10 across 10 facilities, 78% successfully completed radiation therapy without anesthesia, with significant improvements in quality of life and decreased anxiety noted during treatment.
- The study revealed success varied by age and type of insurance, highlighting the AVATAR system's effectiveness in enhancing the treatment experience for young patients.