The Lumbar Puncture animation video: an effectivity study

Numerous studies have shown that liquor diagnostics have significant value in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. As a consequence, the lumbar puncture is performed more often in academic and local clinics. Previous studies have shown that fear for a lumbar puncture and possible complications due to the procedure, can increase actual complications post-lumbar puncture. Patients can be fearful due to unrealistic expectations for the procedure or complications. Providing clear audiovisual information, in addition to the regular explanation the clinician provides, could contribute to realistic expectations, and thus lower fear for the lumbar puncture. We developed an animation to inform patients about the lumbar puncture procedure and possible complications. The aim of our study is to test the effect of the informative video on anxiety and understanding.

Our hypothesis is that; 1) the information video contributes to an improved understanding of the lumbar puncture procedure, and 2) reduces anxiety for the procedure.

T0 - an online questionnaire to be filled out at home, one week prior to the visitation for the screening day at the memory clinic.
T1 - a questionnaire on paper during the screening day, prior to the start of the screening day (in the morning).
T2 - a questionnaire on paper during the screening day, at the end of the screening day (afternoon).
T3 - a brief interview by phone, one week after the memory clinic visit for the screening-day.

Patients are shown an informative animation video