VR Training to Improve Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery

Peking University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease; Postoperative Cognitive Function

Treatments: Device: Virtual scene intervention; Device: Virtual reality cognitive function training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07370844

TY2025014 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical study aims to investigate whether virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training can help improve postoperative cognitive function in elderly non-cardiac surgery patients with pre-existing cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). As the global aging population undergoes an increasing number of surgical procedures, perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) have emerged as a serious complication among surgical patients, potentially prolonging hospital stays and increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study employs an innovative VR system that integrates eye-tracking cognitive assessment with interactive rehabilitation games to evaluate and train patients' cognitive function prior to non-cardiac and non-cranial surgeries. Conducted at Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University First Hospital, and Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, this research specifically targets patients undergoing general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other non-cranial/non-cardiac procedures. It seeks to validate whether this technology-based intervention can effectively enhance postoperative cognitive function in this population while exploring its underlying mechanisms. The findings may offer a practical solution for protecting cognitive health in elderly patients during recovery from routine surgical procedures.

Enrollment: 240 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Age≥60;
2. Preoperative MRI-confirmed cerebral small vessel disease;
3. Scheduled to undergo non-cardiac, non-craniotomy procedures under general anesthesia;
4. ASA physical status classification: I-III;
5. No use of cognitive-enhancing medications within 3 months prior to surgery;
6. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Contraindications to cranial MRI (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, metallic implants, etc.);
2. Intolerance to VR equipment during pre-training adaptation (e.g., dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or other subjective discomfort);
3. Severe visual or auditory impairment;
4. Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction;
5. Pre-existing neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or active delirium);
6. Inability to complete preoperative neuropsychological assessments (e.g., dementia, deaf-mutism, or communication barriers);
7. Use of sedatives, antidepressants, or history of psychoactive substance abuse/alcoholism

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

240 participants in 2 patient groups

Preoperative Training Group

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: Virtual reality cognitive function training

Preoperative Non-Training Group

Sham Comparator group

Treatment:

Device: Virtual scene intervention