Evaluation of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality to Reduce Opioid Use After Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery

What this Trial Is About

This clinical trial evaluates virtual reality (VR) as an additional therapy to reduce opioid use after cardiac and thoracic surgeries. It includes 60 patients aged 16 to 40 undergoing surgeries such as valve replacements, pulmonary decortication, and video-assisted thoracic procedures. The study compares two types of VR approaches—interactive and passive—with standard care to see if VR can improve pain control and recovery while lowering opioid use and related side effects. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups. The Interactive VR group receives standard anesthesia plus VR with games and immersive environments. The Passive VR group receives standard anesthesia plus VR showing relaxing 360-degree videos. The Control group receives only standard postoperative care without VR. VR sessions occur three times daily for 30 to 45 minutes over five postoperative days or until hospital discharge, supervised to ensure proper use and safety. During the study, patients will be assessed for total opioid consumption via prescriptions and patient-controlled analgesia pumps. Researchers will also monitor pain levels using the Visual Analogue Scale, nausea and vomiting, ventilation duration, ICU and hospital stays, paralytic ileus occurrence, patient satisfaction, and cognitive function with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The study aims to provide detailed insights into VR’s role as a supportive pain management tool in these surgeries.

Evaluation of Virtual Reality for Reducing Opioid Use After Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery