AR Meets Ultrasound: Patient-Interactive Scans to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Comprehension in Prenatal Care
AR Meets Ultrasound: Patient-Interactive Scans to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Comprehension in Prenatal Care, Saraaz Khalil, Radguide LTD
Objective:
To evaluate whether augmented reality (AR) visualisations of fetal ultrasound scans reduce
maternal anxiety and improve comprehension during routine prenatal imaging, compared to
standard consultations.
Introduction:
Obstetric ultrasound is a cornerstone of prenatal care, but it often presents challenges in
communication, particularly for first-time mothers or those with elevated anxiety. Traditional
2D imaging can be difficult for patients to interpret, potentially increasing emotional distress.
Augmented reality (AR) offers a novel interface to render 3D fetal reconstructions in an immersive,
patient-friendly format. This study explores whether AR-enhanced ultrasound improves maternal
psychological and cognitive outcomes during scans.
Methods:
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 60 pregnant participants (20–30 weeks of
gestation) at a single NHS maternity unit. Participants were randomly assigned to:
• Control group (n=30): Standard ultrasound with verbal explanation
• Intervention group (n=30): Ultrasound accompanied by real-time 3D fetal visualizations using a
Microsoft HoloLens AR headset
Primary outcomes included:
Anxiety reduction, measured pre- and post-scan using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Comprehension, assessed via a structured 10-question multiple-choice quiz
Patient satisfaction, captured through a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended feedback
Results:
The AR group experienced a 28% reduction in mean STAI scores versus 8% in the control group (p <0.01). Comprehension scores improved by 44% in the AR cohort (mean score 8.6/10 vs. 6.0/10; p <0.001). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the AR group (93% vs. 61% rated the sessionas “very helpful”).
Conclusion:
Integrating augmented reality into ultrasound consultations significantly reduces maternal anxiety
and enhances scan comprehension. This patient-centred innovation holds promise for improving
emotional engagement and informed decision-making in prenatal care.