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Virtual Reality as a Digital Premed to Alleviate Pain and Anxiety Preoperatively in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery

Virtual Reality as a Digital Premed to Alleviate Pain and Anxiety Preoperatively in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06917300
Enrollment
150
Registered
2025-04-08
Start date
2024-08-16
Completion date
2026-09-30
Last updated
2025-04-08

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

Conditions

Anxiety and Fear, Pain, Postoperative, Stress

Brief summary

The aim of this research study is to evaluate the impact of immersive VR exposure on preoperative anxiety and pain. Additionally, to assess whether VR intervention would significantly alleviate pain and anxiety levels of patients undergoing complex spinal surgeries. Investigators hypothesize that the application of pre-operative VR-based intervention will alleviate anxiety and pain both pre- and post-operatively when it is used as treatment to complement standard care compared to standard routine care alone, and that it may lead to better outcomes and higher satisfaction in patients.

Interventions

DEVICEVirtual Reality

The VR group will be exposed to a unified 15-minute VR video via phone using a VR device and goggles after receiving routine standard care. A 360˚ video with an immersive audio-visual environment describing pre-operative and post-operative experience on the day of the surgery will be provided, by which they can get accustomed to the environment and procedures associated with the surgery. Background audio will be provided through headsets, and the video will be directed by a neurosurgeon filmed using a Max 360 action VR camera. In the video, actors, neurosurgeons, and nurses will re-enact a typical day for a mock patient undergoing surgery, plus routine post-operative care, including the post-operative immediate recovery room and rehabilitation care by neurosurgeons, psychologists, and physiotherapists in the ward. Patients are allowed to move around freely so that they can experience all aspects of the virtual space, and are encouraged to ask questions at the end.

Sponsors

Medical University of Lodz
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients between 25-70 years old, undergoing an elective spinal surgery. * Patient's admission prior to surgery day (at least 1 day). * Expected hospital stay - 2 days. * Capable of providing informed consent and participate in the study follow-up questionnaire. * Patients speak Polish.

Exclusion criteria

* Congestive heart failure, hypertension and anti-hypertensive medications * Adrenal insufficiency * Alcohol addiction (evaluated by CAGE/AUDIT) and substance addiction (evaluated by DUDIT) * Cognitive impairment (evaluated by MMSE, MoCA) * Cerebrovascular diseases, ophthalmological diseases (strabismus, diplopia, retina degeneration, glaucoma), neurological conditions (epilepsy or seizure, dementia, vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness) - evaluated by: history taking, examination, vision test (Ishihara test), Simulator Sickness Questionnaire * Auditory impairment * Psychiatric illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic depression) - (evaluated by MINI questionnaire) * Patients with neuropathic pain * Use of sedative drugs, anti-depressants, anxiolytics, and anti-epileptic drugs * Intracranial functional lesions (patients after TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), cognitive or executive dysfunction) * Patient with high risk due to major and emergency operations * Claustrophobia * GCS \< 15

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Stress (STAI-S) and Pain (VAS)24 hours postoperativelyThe Primary outcome for this trial is the change in the intensity of pre-operative anxiety measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STA-I) scale and pain measured by visual Analogue Scale (VAS). These outcomes will be measured pre-operatively on the day before surgery. Measurements will be made again post-operatively - within 24 hours. Pre-operative and post-operative STAI-S and VAS will be compared for data analysis.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Satisfaction (EVAN-G) and Postoperative Stress (PSS-10)24 hours postoperativelyThe Secondary outcome will be the patients' quality of life and satisfaction measured by Evaluation du Vecu de l'Anesthesie Generale (EVAN-G) questionnaire and postoperative stress measured by Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10 within 24 hours and used for data analysis, since the level of satisfaction and the stress caused by thinking time spent at pain can contribute to an increased perception of pain.

Countries

Poland

Contacts

Primary ContactRedwan Jabbar, MD, PhD (Candid.)
rredwanbakal@gmail.com0048570940828

Outcome results

None listed

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