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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07700550

VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING AFTER THORACIC SURGERY

This study aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality-based exercise training after thoracic surgery. Participants undergoing lung resection surgery will be assigned to either a virtual reality exercise training group or a control group receiving standard care. Physical function, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and quality of life will be evaluated before and after the intervention. The findings may help determine whether virtual reality-assisted exercise training improves postoperative recovery in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Thoracic Surgery Exercise Training Postoperative Recovery Pulmonary Rehabilitation Virtual Reality

Age range

25 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Pamukkale University Hospital

Denizli, 20160, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 25 and 70 years Stable symptoms and no other disease affecting pulmonary function (e.g., scoliosis or ankylosing spondylitis) Good cooperation and ability to walk independently Patients who underwent thoracic surgery FEV1 > 2 L for pneumonectomy, > 1 L for lobectomy, and > 0.6 L for segmentectomy Maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max) > 15-20 mL/kg/min Cycle ergometer performance > 83 W No severe visual impairment Approved for participation in exercise training by the operating physician Hodkinson Mental Test score > 6 Willingness to participate and provision of informed consent -

Exclusion criteria

Contraindications to pulmonary rehabilitation or physiotherapy, including unstable cardiovascular disease, severe pulmonary hypertension, severe uncorrectable hypoxemia, exercise-induced desaturation, rib fractures, subcutaneous emphysema, advanced osteoporosis, or thrombocytopenia Orthopedic or neurological disorders that may impair independent ambulation, exertional dyspnea, or exertional vertigo Requirement for repeat thoracic surgery due to previous thoracic surgical history Inability to establish verbal and/or auditory communication and cooperation Inability to cooperate due to psychological and/or perceptual impairments Withdrawal Criteria Development of unexpected chest pain during the study Occurrence of syncope or nausea during testing procedures Participants may withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason Study Completion / Termination Criterion Achievement of the planned sample size

-

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Exercise Training

Behavioral

Participants received virtual reality-based exercise training in addition to conventional pulmonary rehabilitation and cycle ergometer training after thoracic surgery.

Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Cycle Ergometer Training

Other

Participants received conventional pulmonary rehabilitation and cycle ergometer training after thoracic surgery.

thoracic surgery

Procedure

Participants underwent thoracic surgery (lobectomy, segmentectomy, pneumonectomy, or wedge resection) according to the clinical indication before receiving the assigned rehabilitation intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. FEV1

    Time frame: From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge

    Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) measured by spirometry.

  2. FVC

    Time frame: From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry.

  3. FEF25-75

    Time frame: From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

    Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity measured by spirometry.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

    Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  2. Exercise Capacity

    Time frame: Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery)

    Exercise capacity was assessed using the 1-minute sit-to-stand test.Exercise capacity was assessed using the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STS). The outcome was recorded as the number of completed sit-to-stand repetitions in one minute. Higher values indicate better exercise capacity.

  3. Anxiety and Depression

    Time frame: Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

    Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression. Anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety subscale (HADS-A). Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety symptoms. Depression was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression subscale (HADS-D). Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater depression symptoms.

  4. Dyspnea

    Time frame: Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery)

    Dyspnea was assessed using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale. Dyspnea was assessed using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no dyspnea and 10 indicates maximal dyspnea. Higher scores indicate greater dyspnea severity.

  5. Oxygen Saturation

    Time frame: Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

    Peripheral oxygen saturation was measured before, immediately after, and 3 minutes after the 1-minute sit-to-stand test.Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured using a pulse oximeter before, immediately after, and 3 minutes after the 1-minute sit-to-stand test. Oxygen saturation was recorded as a percentage (%), with higher values indicating better oxygenation.

  6. Length of Hospital Stay

    Time frame: From the day of surgery until hospital discharge (typically within 7 days after surgery).

    Length of hospital stay was recorded as the total number of days from surgery until hospital discharge. Shorter hospital stay indicates a better outcome.

  7. Patient satisfaction

    Time frame: Hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery)

    Patient satisfaction was assessed using a short patient satisfaction questionnaire.Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Short Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (SPSQ/HMKDF), which consists of 7 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating greater patient satisfaction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Pamukkale University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Exercise Training With Virtual Reality After Thoracic Surgery

Acronym: VRTS

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 14, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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