Recovery With Virtual Reality for Stress and Pain

Preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain may negatively affect patients' recovery after surgery. Virtual reality may provide a non-pharmacological method of distraction and relaxation, but its effect on perioperative anxiety and early postoperative recovery requires further evaluation.

This prospective, randomized, parallel-group controlled trial will include approximately 140 adults undergoing elective gynecological surgery. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups:

• Virtual reality plus usual perioperative care.
• Usual perioperative care alone.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will use a virtual reality headset for approximately 10-20 minutes before surgery and view an immersive relaxation environment. The intervention may be discontinued at any time if the participant experiences discomfort, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, or other adverse symptoms.

The primary outcome is the change in preoperative anxiety from immediately before to immediately after the intervention period, assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State scale and/or a numerical rating scale for anxiety.

Secondary outcomes include quality of recovery measured with the Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire, postoperative pain measured using a numerical rating scale, opioid consumption expressed as morphine milligram equivalents, postoperative nausea and vomiting, time spent in the postoperative care unit, and other indicators of early postoperative recovery. Follow-up assessments are planned at approximately 24 and 72 hours and on postoperative days 7 and 10.

The study will examine whether preoperative virtual reality reduces anxiety and whether any reduction is associated with improved postoperative recovery and reduced symptom burden.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Scheduled to undergo elective gynecological surgery according to the study protocol at a participating center where virtual reality can be provided.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent for study participation, 1:1 randomization, and use of virtual reality.

Exclusion criteria

• Increased risk of adverse effects related to virtual reality, including pronounced motion sickness, claustrophobia, or photosensitive epilepsy.
• Active substance use disorder or active misuse of alcohol or illicit drugs.
• Severe chronic pain and/or regular preoperative opioid treatment, as defined in the study protocol.