M.L. (Louise) Meulenkamp-Yilmaz, PhD Student

I am Louise Meulenkamp, holding a master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology, and currently pursuing my PhD with a focus on innovative healthcare interventions.  
 
My research centers on "Smartphone virtual reality exposure before surgery: effects on pre- and post- procedural pain and anxiety (PREVIEW 2)," conducted through a multicenter study. 
 
My work explores the promising use of smartphone virtual reality exposure (sVRE) as an intervention to mitigate preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in paediatric patients. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of sVRE compared to care as usual (CAU) in children undergoing (adeno)tonsillectomy and scoliosis surgery.  
 
The study aims to assess the impact of sVRE on postoperative pain, analgesic use, anxiety levels, sleep problems, healthcare utilization, and parental anxiety. The statistical analyses will be performed separately for children undergoing scoliosis surgery and (adeno)tonsillectomy. 

My research focuses on innovative healthcare interventions. Current activities include: 

• Preview-2 Study: Investigating the efficacy of Smartphone Virtual Reality Exposure (sVRE) in reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain among pediatric patients undergoing scoliosis or adenotonsillectomy surgery. This involves conducting separate multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for each surgical procedure. Currently in the data collection phase, with plans to proceed to manuscript preparation and publication, separately per RCT.  
• sVRE before Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Investigating the efficacy of Smartphone Virtual Reality Exposure (sVRE) before MRI: effects on pre- and periprocedural anxiety. Analyzing data from a multicenter RCT. The study is in the early stages of data analysis, with plans to proceed to manuscript preparation and publication.  
• Pilot Study focus groups study: Conducting a pilot study to assess the usability of the sVRE app from the Preview-2 study among 5-year-old children. This pilot study involves focus groups of eighteen children in a primary school setting to evaluate their attention span and the acceptability, feasibility and user experience of the sVRE app, potentially expanding the age group for future research in digital health innovations like sVRE. 
• Systematic Review on the analgesic effect of XR for Acute and Postoperative Pain in Children: Conducting a systematic review to evaluate the analgesic effects of extended reality (XR) technologies for acute and postoperative pain management in children. Currently in the data extraction phase, with plans to proceed to manuscript preparation and publication.  
• User Experience of M-health Interventions in Pediatric Oncology: Contributing as the second author to a review examining the user experience of e-health interventions in children and adolescents with cancer, focusing on usability and patient perspectives. Currently in the data extraction phase, with plans to proceed to manuscript preparation and publication.  

I completed my Master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Amsterdam, focusing on Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare.  
 
My current role involves conducting innovative healthcare research, particularly in pediatric surgical settings. My work includes leading studies such as the evaluation of Smartphone Virtual Reality Exposure (sVRE) before pediatric surgery , specifically assessing its effects on pre and post-procedural pain and anxiety. 
 
My career highlights include managing Multicenter RCTs and Systematic Reviews in healthcare interventions. 

I have one publication from my bachelor's thesis at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences titled "Evaluation of Visits to Cancer Support Centers by People with Cancer and Their Loved Ones." 

I have supervised two completed master's theses for students in Medicine and Clinical Psychology. Currently, I am supervising five master's students pursuing degrees in Psychology, overseeing their ongoing thesis projects.