Actively Recruiting
Effect of Virtual Reality Immersion on the Need of Pharmacological Premedication Before Cardiac Surgery
Led by Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona · Updated on 2026-03-04
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether virtual reality can reduce the need for pharmacological premedication in patients undergoing elective surgery who request such medication before their operation. The study aims to see if virtual reality can maintain patient comfort while potentially decreasing the use of drugs and their related side effects during the preoperative period. Participants will experience a 20-minute virtual reality session on the day of surgery after completing their preoperative preparation in the ward. The virtual reality device will offer scenarios and music chosen by the patient, and during this time, the patient will be left resting with minimal interaction. This device-based intervention will be assessed as an alternative or complement to pharmacological premedication. During the study, researchers will monitor whether patients still require pharmacological premedication up to pre-oxygenation on the surgery day. They will also evaluate patient comfort, anxiety levels, vital signs, incidence of cybersickness, and satisfaction before and after surgery. Compliance with the virtual reality session will be tracked, and several clinical and qualitative assessments will be conducted up to 72 hours post-extubation to understand effects and patient experience fully.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Virtual Reality on the Need of Premedication Before Surgery
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- All patients undergoing elective surgery
- Minimal age of 18-year-old
- Able to give informed consent for the study
- Requesting pharmacological premedication in the pre-operative period.
You will not qualify if you...
- Lacking capacity or ability to complete the consent form or to respond to the required obligations linked to the study protocol
- Contraindications to pharmacological premedication
- Known cognitive dysfunction, previous history of neurological/psychiatric diseases like epilepsy
- Non Italian speaking patients
- Injuries to the head/face that would prohibit wearing headsets
- Infectious skin conditions of the head/face
- Contact isolation due to bacteria and viruses
- Symptoms of vertigo or motion sickness
- Reduced visual or auditory acuity
- Pregnancy
- Claustrophobia
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 20 minutes (same day as surgery)
Participants use a virtual reality device for a 20-minute session on the day of surgery after their pre-operative preparation is completed. During this time, they rest while immersed in their chosen scenario and music.
1 visit (in-person) on surgery day
Duration - From 4 hours after extubation up to 72 hours after extubation
Participants complete surveys and evaluations regarding their comfort, satisfaction, and any side effects following surgery and extubation.
1 to 2 visits depending on post-operative assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Istituto Cardiocentro
Lugano, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, 6900
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Hervé Schlotterbeck, Medical Doctor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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