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

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF LODZ · Mar 31, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of virtual reality (VR) to help reduce pain and anxiety for patients preparing to undergo spine surgery. Researchers believe that using immersive VR experiences before surgery can help patients feel calmer and experience less pain during and after their procedure compared to standard care alone. The goal is to see if this innovative approach can improve overall patient satisfaction and outcomes.

To participate in this study, you need to be an adult between 25 and 70 years old, scheduled for an elective spinal surgery, and able to provide consent in Polish. You should also be admitted to the hospital at least a day before your surgery and expect to stay for about two days. However, there are some health conditions that may exclude you from participating, such as serious heart problems, certain neurological conditions, or if you have issues with substance use or certain medications. If you join the study, you’ll have the chance to try VR as part of your care, which could help make your surgery experience more comfortable.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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