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Virtual Reality on Pulmonary Function After Upper Abdominal Surgeries

Effect of Virtual Reality on Pulmonary Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength and Functional Capacity After Upper Abdominal Surgeries

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06301126
Enrollment
60
Registered
2024-03-08
Start date
2024-03-01
Completion date
2025-07-01
Last updated
2025-05-14

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

Conditions

Abdomen Hernia, Respiratory Complication

Keywords

Virtual reality, Pulmonary Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity, Upper abdominal surgery

Brief summary

After upper abdomen surgery, respiratory muscle dysfunction is well recognised. After laparotomy and even laparoscopy, maximum static inspiratory and expiratory pressures are lowered, and recovery can take several days. A variety of reasons have been implicated in such respiratory muscle dysfunction, including irritation and inflammation, as well as injuries near the diaphragm, resulting in local mechanical failure, reflex inhibition, and pain.

Detailed description

Virtual reality (VR) encourages an environment that attempts to create a moment of entertainment, motivation, and enjoyment with a variety of stimuli, with movements that stimulate physical and cognitive development, as well as the patient's active participation in the rehabilitation process. It is possible to assist in the alleviation of pain using the platform, at a low cost, through the playfulness given during rehabilitation, with an effective consumption of oxygen, range of motion, and use of the respiratory muscles more efficiently. Participants with upper abdominal surgery will be randomly distributed into Group A (VR Group) which will receive VR for plus conventional physical therapy program and Group B (Control Group) which will receive conventional physical therapy program.

Interventions

OTHERVirtual reality

The system included an Xbox 360® console, a sensor that detects motion (Kinect®), and a projector device with loudspeakers. The console, which was mounted on a table, reached 1 m tall. The Kinect® motion sensor was attached to the projector, which showed images onto a wall 2.5 metres distant from the playing field. The playing field was at least 1.8 m wide and 1.8 m long, with the Kinect® sensor situated 1.2 m away. The device was calibrated before each training session to accurately follow the motions of each subject.

Participants will receive conventional physical therapy exercise program (Deep diaphragmatic, costal breathing exercises, bronchial hygiene techniques and assisted cough) for 45 minutes, 5 days/ week for 8 weeks.

Sponsors

Cairo University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients undergone open upper abdominal surgery (hernia repair, cholecystectomy, large bowel removal, conventional laparotomy) 2. no prior surgical intervention for esophageal, gastric, or biliary tract resection 3. age 18-60 years 4. acceptable physical condition (permitting pulmonary function and functional capacity test).

Exclusion criteria

1. Cerebrovascular disease 2. use of immunosuppressants within 30 days of surgery 3. cardiovascular instability 4. chest physical therapy within the 8 weeks preceding study enrollment 5. visual impairment or hearing impairment; 6. bed-ridden patients; 7. any lung disorders 8. insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 9. less than 6-months post thoracic or cardiac surgery 10. musculoskeletal impairment 11. cognitive disorders 12. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery as this induces smaller changes in the postoperative breathing mechanics than laparotomy does 13. heavy smokers or alcoholism

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Forced vital capacity (FVC)8 weeksFVC will be measured by using spirometer.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)8 weeksFEV1 will be measured by using spirometer.
Peak expiratory flow (PEF)8 weeksPEF will be measured by using spirometer.
Respiratory muscle strength8 weeksThe inspiratory muscle strength will be verified by means of the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the expiratory muscular strength by means of maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) by using the digital Manovacuometer.
diaphragmatic mobility8 weeksDiaphragmatic mobility will be assessed using a high resolution ultrasound machine with a convex probe of 3.5 MHz on the right subcostal area in perpendicular incidence to craniocaudal axis in the assessment.
Functional capacity8 weeksFunctional capacity will be measured by using 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT) that measures the maximum distance walked in a period of 6 min to assess the submaximal level of the functional capacity of the participants.

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

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