Virtual Reality for Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery

Background:

Major abdominal surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain, anxiety, and prolonged hospital stays. Despite advances in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, non-pharmacological adjuncts to pain management remain underutilized in surgical wards. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising distraction-based intervention that may reduce pain perception, alleviate anxiety, and accelerate postoperative recovery without the adverse effects associated with pharmacological agents.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of immersive VR sessions on the quality of postoperative recovery as measured by the QoR-15 scale at 72 hours after surgery. The secondary objectives are to assess the effect of VR on length of hospital stay, postoperative pain intensity, total opioid consumption, and clinical recovery milestones including time to first ambulation and first oral intake.

Study Design:

A prospective, two-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of General Surgery at a main university hospital operating under an established ERAS protocol. Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery are randomly allocated using computer-generated block randomization stratified by surgery type into two equal groups of 30 patients each.

Intervention:

Patients in the VR intervention group receive standard ERAS perioperative care supplemented by immersive VR sessions. One familiarization session of 15 minutes is administered on the evening before surgery, followed by session daily on Postoperative Days 1 through 3, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, for a total VR exposure of approximately 90 to 120 minutes per patient. VR content includes nature immersion simulations, guided relaxation environments, breathing exercises, and mindfulness-based stress reduction modules.

Control:

Patients in the control group receive standard ERAS perioperative care only, without any VR exposure or distraction therapy.

Blinding:

The outcome assessor responsible for administering all assessment tools is independent from the clinical team and unaware of group allocation. Patients cannot be blinded to group assignment due to the nature of the VR intervention.

Outcome Assessment:

The primary outcome is the QoR-15 score at Postoperative Day 3 and length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include , daily pain scores using the Numeric Rating Scale, total opioid consumption in Morphine Milligram Equivalents, and clinical recovery milestones collected from the medical record. VR tolerability is monitored after each session using an adapted Simulator Sickness Questionnaire.

Sample Size:

A sample size of 60 patients (30 per group) was determined based on a power analysis assuming

Statistical Analysis:

Data will be analyzed using SPSS. Continuous variables will be compared using Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables will be analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Serial QoR-15 scores will be analyzed using Mixed-Model ANOVA with group, time, and group-by-time interaction as factors. Baseline differences will be adjusted using ANCOVA. Effect sizes will be reported as Cohen's d. A p-value of less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients aged 18 to 60 years.
• Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery (e.g., colorectal, gastric, or hepatobiliary procedures).
• Physical and cognitive ability to provide informed consent.
• Ability to use and interact with Virtual Reality (VR) equipment (head-mounted display).
• Followed the standardized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol at the hospital.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with a history of epilepsy or photosensitive seizures.

• Significant cognitive impairment or diagnosed psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study participation.
• Severe visual or auditory impairments that prevent effective interaction with VR content.
• Patients with pre-existing motion sickness or severe vertigo.
• Presence of open wounds or infections in the head or face area that prevent wearing the VR headset.