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VR-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Prehabilitation for Spinal Deformity Surgery
Sponsor: University of California, Irvine
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a virtual reality-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT) prehabilitation program can improve recovery and quality of life for adults undergoing elective spine surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participating in an 8-week VR-CBT prehabilitation program before surgery improve physical function and pain-related outcomes at 12 months after surgery? Does VR-CBT prehabilitation reduce postoperative anxiety, depression, and pain interference compared with usual preoperative care? Researchers will compare participants who receive the VR-CBT prehabilitation program plus usual care to participants who receive usual preoperative care alone to see if the VR-CBT program leads to better recovery and patient-reported outcomes. Participants will: Use a VR headset at home to complete structured CBT-based prehabilitation sessions over 8 weeks before surgery. Attend routine clinic visits and complete questionnaires about pain, function, mood, and quality of life before surgery and through 12 months after surgery. Allow the research team to review their medical records for information about surgery, complications, and postoperative recovery.
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Evaluating Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (VR-CBT) as a Prehabilitation Intervention for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-09-01
Completion Date
2028-11-28
Last Updated
2026-08-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Virtual Reality-Based CBT Prehabilitation (VR-CBT)
A spine-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) prehabilitation program delivered using a virtual reality platform. Over 8 weeks before surgery, participants complete home-based VR sessions via a headset and software that provide psychoeducation about surgery and recovery, cognitive restructuring exercises, relaxation and mindfulness training, and graded exposure to movement and pain-related cues in immersive virtual environments. This intervention is administered in addition to usual perioperative clinical care.
CBT Prehabilitation without Virtual Reality
A spine-focused CBT prehabilitation program delivered without VR. Over 8 weeks before surgery, participants receive the same CBT content using non-VR methods covering psychoeducation about surgery and recovery, cognitive restructuring, relaxation and mindfulness, and graded exposure to movement and pain-related cues. This intervention is administered in addition to usual perioperative clinical care.
Locations (2)
UCI Health - Orthopaedic Spine Center (Wen Center for Advanced Care)
Irvine, California, United States
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (Hoag Hospital Newport Beach)
Newport Beach, California, United States