Effect of Virtual Reality on Anxiety, Stress, and Patient's Satisfaction Among Patients Undergoing Regional Anesthesia (VR)

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Elective Surgery; Patient Satisfaction; Perioperative Stress; Regional Anesthesia; Perioperative Anxiety

Treatments: Device: Meta Quest 2 VR headset

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07132216

IRB RHDIRB2019041701

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial was to investigate the effect of Virtual Reality (VR) on intraoperative anxiety, stress, and patient satisfaction among Palestinian patients undergoing regional anesthesia. The study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of VR as a non-pharmacological intervention during surgery. The main research hypotheses are:

H0: There will be no significant difference in anxiety levels between patients who receive immersive VR during regional anesthesia and those who do not receive pre- and post-virtual reality therapy.

H0: There will be no significant difference in perceived stress levels between patients who receive immersive VR during regional anesthesia and those who do not receive pre- and post-virtual reality therapy.

H0: There will be no significant difference in satisfaction levels between patients who receive immersive VR during regional anesthesia and those who do not receive pre- and post-virtual reality therapy.

Participants will:

Receive either VR intervention or standard care during their surgery. Complete assessments of anxiety and stress before and after the procedure using validated scales.

Provide feedback on their satisfaction levels post-operation using a Visual Analog Scale.

Be monitored for hemodynamic parameters throughout the surgical process.

Full description

Title: Effect of Virtual Reality on Intraoperative Anxiety, Stress, and Patient Satisfaction among Palestinian Patients Undergoing Regional Anesthesia

Background: Preoperative and intraoperative anxiety and stress are common psychological responses that negatively impact surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. While pharmacological interventions are traditionally used to manage these responses, non-pharmacological methods such as virtual reality (VR) are gaining prominence. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of VR on intraoperative anxiety, stress, and patient satisfaction among Palestinian patients undergoing regional anesthesia.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital in Nablus, Palestine, from June to September 2024. A total of 150 patients scheduled for elective urological surgery under regional anesthesia were randomly assigned into VR (n=75) and control (n=75) groups. Participants in the VR group received immersive VR intervention during the operation using head-mounted devices, while the control group received routine care. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and patient satisfaction using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Hemodynamic parameters were also monitored.

Enrollment: 150 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who underwent elective urological surgery under regional anesthesia
• Patients older than 18 years
• Patients with no history of previous surgeries
• Patients suffering from moderate to severe anxiety and stress

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, hypertension, or chronic pain
• Patients who are mute and cannot read or write; patients with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment
• Patients with implanted hearing aids or cardiac pacemakers
• Patients who received any anxiolytic, sedative, or hypnotic drugs before or during regional anesthesia
• Patients exposed to anesthetic or surgical complications during the operation

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

150 participants in 2 patient groups

VR group

Experimental group

Description:

The Meta Quest 2 VR headset with built-in headphones was used. Patients selected VR environments from a predefined list of five nature scenes (beach, forest, mountain, underwater, and meadow) with identical meditation audio tracks lasting 30 minutes each. Guided Meditation VR from Cubicle Ninjas (https://guidedmeditationvr.com/)featured 360-degree nature environments with standardized calming background music and guided meditation narration. VR was applied immediately after spinal anesthesia and before the surgical incision. Sessions lasted 30 minutes and were discontinued if the patient reported nausea, dizziness, or requested removal.

Treatment:

Device: Meta Quest 2 VR headset

control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control group only receive standard care according to the hospital's protocol during the operation.