Using Virtual Reality to Help Reduce Anxiety Before Oral Surgery

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Reducing Perioperative Anxiety Among Oral Surgery Patients: A Salivary Biomarker and Questionnaire-Based Study - RELAX-VR Reducing perioperative anxiety using salivary biomarker analysis and Virtual Reality

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

JPRN

Registry ID

JPRN-UMIN000059704

Enrollment

Registered

2025-11-10

Start date

2025-01-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-06-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Preoperative anxiety in oral surgery patients

Interventions

Virtual Reality Relaxation Participants in the intervention group received a 15-minute immersive Virtual Reality (VR) session immediately prior to minor oral surgery under general anesthesia. The VR

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Adults aged 18 to 45 years Scheduled for elective minor oral surgery under general anesthesia Able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent Able to read and complete the APAIS questionnaire No prior exposure to virtual reality

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: History of psychiatric or neurological disorders Use of medications affecting stress hormones in the last 7 days (e.g., corticosteroids, anxiolytics) Systemic diseases that may affect saliva biomarkers (e.g., diabetes, adrenal disorders) Current or past substance abuse (alcohol, drugs) Pregnant or breastfeeding Visual, vestibular, or balance disorders that interfere with VR usage Allergy to materials used for saliva collection Unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Changes in salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol levels, and APAIS scores from pre- to post-intervention to assess perioperative anxiety reduction.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Patient satisfaction score with preoperative experience Definition: Self-reported satisfaction with the preoperative process, including comfort and clarity of information. Time point: Immediately after intervention (after VR or control exposure but before surgery). Instrument: 5-point Likert scale questionnaire (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Change in heart rate as a physiological marker of anxiety Definition: Difference in heart rate measured before and after intervention. Time point: Measured immediately before and after VR or control exposure. Unit: Beats per minute (bpm). Method: Digital pulse oximeter. Incidence of adverse events during VR use Definition: Frequency of nausea, dizziness, or other discomfort during or after VR exposure. Time point: During and immediately after VR session. Method: Structured observation checklist and spontaneous reporting.	—

Measure

Time frame

Patient satisfaction score with preoperative experience Definition: Self-reported satisfaction with the preoperative process, including comfort and clarity of information. Time point: Immediately after intervention (after VR or control exposure but before surgery). Instrument: 5-point Likert scale questionnaire (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Change in heart rate as a physiological marker of anxiety Definition: Difference in heart rate measured before and after intervention. Time point: Measured immediately before and after VR or control exposure. Unit: Beats per minute (bpm). Method: Digital pulse oximeter. Incidence of adverse events during VR use Definition: Frequency of nausea, dizziness, or other discomfort during or after VR exposure. Time point: During and immediately after VR session. Method: Structured observation checklist and spontaneous reporting.

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Countries

Asia(except Japan)

Contacts

Public ContactArlette Setiawan

Universitas Padjadjaran Faculty of Dentistry

arlette.puspa@unpad.ac.id628122092334

Outcome results

None listed

Source: JPRN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jul 3, 2026