Virtual Reality for Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery
Effect of Virtual Reality on Quality of Recovery and Hospital Stay After Major Abdominal Surgery
Alexandria University
60 participants
Mar 28, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Summary
Major abdominal surgery often leads to significant postoperative pain, anxiety, and prolonged hospital stays, which can delay overall recovery. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance the quality of recovery and reduce the length of hospital stay. Patients in the intervention group will engage in standardized VR sessions featuring guided relaxation and mindfulness-based stress reduction, starting from the evening before surgery through the third postoperative day. The study compares this VR-enhanced protocol against standard perioperative care within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework. The findings are expected to determine if VR can serve as a feasible and effective tool to improve clinical outcomes and patient well-being in surgical wards.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Adult patients aged 18 to 60 years.
- Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery (e.g., colorectal, gastric, or hepatobiliary procedures).
- Physical and cognitive ability to provide informed consent.
- Ability to use and interact with Virtual Reality (VR) equipment (head-mounted display).
- Followed the standardized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol at the hospital.
Exclusion Criteria5
- \- Patients with a history of epilepsy or photosensitive seizures.
- Significant cognitive impairment or diagnosed psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study participation.
- Severe visual or auditory impairments that prevent effective interaction with VR content.
- Patients with pre-existing motion sickness or severe vertigo.
- Presence of open wounds or infections in the head or face area that prevent wearing the VR headset.
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Interventions
Session Protocol: * Preoperative session: One session of 15 minutes on the evening before surgery for familiarization with the VR equipment and content. * Postoperative sessions: daily on Postoperative Days 1, 2, and 3, each session lasting 15 to 20 minutes. * Total VR exposure: approximately 90 to 120 minutes per patient. VR Content: * Nature immersion simulations * Guided relaxation environments * Breathing exercises * Mindfulness-based stress reduction modules Safety Measures: * VR-related adverse effects monitored after each session using an adapted Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). * Sessions are discontinued immediately if the patient reports Moderate or Severe symptoms. * All VR equipment is disinfected between uses according to hospital infection control protocols.
Preoperative Phase: * Patient education and counseling regarding the surgical procedure and postoperative recovery expectations. * Administration of carbohydrate-rich drinks before surgery to reduce metabolic stress. Intraoperative Phase: * Propofol-based total intravenous anaesthesia or balanced anaesthesia. * Opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia. * Optimized intraoperative fluid management. * Standardized neuromuscular blockade reversal. * Intraoperative opioid dosing recorded for all patients. Postoperative Phase: * Standardized multimodal pharmacological pain management. * Early mobilization encouraged within 6 hours after surgery. * Early oral nutrition initiated as soon as clinically appropriate. * Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) available if indicated. No Virtual Reality sessions or any form of distraction therapy will be provided to this group.
Locations(1)
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NCT07493499