Virtual Reality for Appendectomy Pain

Functional Response to Immersive Virtual Reality in Pediatric Patients Post-Laparoscopic Appedectomy

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04357132

Enrollment

Registered

2020-04-22

Start date

2020-07-12

Completion date

2021-08-30

Last updated

2023-02-08

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

Conditions

Appendix Rupture, Pain, Pain, Postoperative

Brief summary

To determine the impact of VR-Biofeedback and VR-Distraction on pain and medication utilization in children and adolescents undergoing surgery for ruptured appendix.

Interventions

OTHERVR-Biofeedback

Participants will be instructed to use the Mindful Aurora Application

OTHERVR-Distraction

Participants will be instructed to use one of four applications

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Intervention model description

60 participants assigned to one of two groups. VR- Distraction and VR-Biofeedback

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

8 Years to 18 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Age 8 - 18 years * Able to read, understand, and speak English * Patients in the immediate postoperative period following laparoscopic appendectomy for ruptured appendix

Exclusion criteria

* Outside of age range (\<8 or \>18 years) * History of developmental delays, uncontrolled psychiatric conditions, or neurological conditions (especially epilepsy and/or significant motion sickness/nausea/vomiting) * History of vertigo, dizziness, and/or seizure disorders * Conditions that would preclude the application of the VR headset, such as craniofacial deformities * History of chronic pain, frequent opioid use and/or active cancer therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Effect of VR-distraction on medication use	24-90 hours	Pain medications used will be collected
Effect of VR-distraction on anxiety	Before 10 minute VR session.	Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 - 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
Effect of VR-distraction on pain	Postoperatively 24 - 90 hours.	Pain scores will be collected. Pain will be rated using the numerical rating scale. Participant will rate their pain from 0 - 10. 0 meaning no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
Effect on VR-biofeedback on anxiety	Before 10 minute VR session.	Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a visual analog scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 - 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
Effect of VR-biofeedback on pain	Postoperatively 24 - 90 hours.	Pain scores will be collected. Pain will be rated using the numerical rating scale. Participant will rate their pain from 0 - 10. 0 meaning no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
Effect of VR-biofeedback on medication use	24-90 hours	Amount of pain medications used will be collected

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Role of pain catastrophizing	One time prior to study visit	Participants will complete a questionnaire regarding pain
Role of anxiety on changes in pain	One time prior to study visit	Participants will complete a questionnaire regarding anxiety

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026