Abstract: Objective To explore the application value of a remote visiting system in the elderly inpatients with cancer during the novel coronavirus infection epidemic period. Methods A total of ninety-two elderly patients with cancer in our oncology ward from April to October 2022 were enrolled, and video visits were conducted using the remote visitation system weblink App. The cognitive function, daily living abilities, degree of anxiety and depression, sleep quality and the patients family satisfaction before and after the visits were observed and compared. Results After the remote visitation, the scores of depression and anxiety were lower and sleep quality was improved,and the satisfaction of the family was higher than that before the remote visitation (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the MMSE and Barthel Index scores before and after the remote visitation. Conclusions The application of remote visitation systems during the novel coronavirus infection epidemic period not only meets the communication between inpatients and their families but also improves sleep quality and relieve anxiety and depression of the patients, and improves the satisfaction of the patients and the family.

Key words: novel coronavirus infection, remote visiting system, sleep quality, mental state, aged