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Virtual Reality for Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery
Sponsor: Alexandria University
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.
Official title: Effect of Virtual Reality on Quality of Recovery and Hospital Stay After Major Abdominal Surgery
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-03
Completion Date
2026-04
Last Updated
2026-04-01
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)
Immersive VR sessions using a head-mounted display (e.g., Meta Quest). The intervention includes: Pre-operative session: 15 minutes the evening before surgery. Post-operative sessions: Twice daily from postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 3 (15-20 minutes each). Content includes nature immersion, guided breathing, and mindfulness-based stress reduction to alleviate pain and anxiety.
Standard Perioperative Care and Enhanced Recovery Protocol
Patients in the control group will receive the standard hospital perioperative care according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol. This comprehensive care plan includes: Pre-operative Phase: Detailed patient counseling and administration of carbohydrate-rich drinks before surgery to reduce metabolic stress. Intra-operative Phase: Use of short-acting anesthetic agents, opioid-sparing analgesia, and optimized fluid management to maintain physiological balance. Post-operative Phase: Early mobilization (encouraging the patient to move within 6 hours after surgery), early oral nutrition (starting oral intake as soon as possible), and standardized pharmacological pain management. No Virtual Reality sessions or distraction therapy equipment will be provided to this group.
Locations (1)
Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University
Alexandria, Egypt