Multimodal virtual reality program to reduce anxiety before cancer surgery
Feasibility of a Multimodal Virtual Reality Intervention to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety in Cancer Surgery Patients
This study will try a virtual reality program to see if it reduces anxiety for adults preparing for cancer surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Manitoba Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winnipeg, Manitoba) |
| Trial ID | NCT07366515 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a feasibility trial at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg testing an expanded multimodal virtual reality (VR) intervention delivered before oncologic surgery. The team will measure feasibility by tracking recruitment, retention, engagement, and participant feedback on each VR component, and will monitor for any adverse effects. Investigators will explore whether baseline anxiety or psychiatric history predicts response and whether providing first-person VR session recordings for later access is useful. Preliminary pilot outcomes will examine whether greater engagement with the VR intervention is associated with lower anxiety on the day of surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who read and speak English, have a cancer diagnosis, and are scheduled for oncologic surgery under general anesthesia at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg who can provide informed consent and use VR.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot provide informed consent or who have visual, auditory, or motor impairments that prevent effective VR participation, as well as non-English speakers or those having surgery elsewhere, are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could lower preoperative anxiety and distress for cancer surgery patients, improving the perioperative experience and possibly recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies using VR for perioperative anxiety have shown mixed but generally promising reductions in anxiety, although the use of a multimodal program with recorded first-person session access is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Patients will be deemed eligible for inclusion if they: (a) are 18 years of age or older; (b) are able to speak and read English; (c) have received a cancer diagnosis; and (d) are scheduled, or in the process of being scheduled to undergo oncological surgery under general anesthesia at the Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg. Patients will be deemed ineligible if they are unable to provide informed consent (e.g., due to cognitive impairment) or if they have any visual, auditory and/or motor impairments that would preclude effective participation in the Virtual Reality intervention.
Where this trial is running
Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Health Sciences Centre — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Renee El-Gabalawy, PhD — University of Manitoba
- Study coordinator: Cassidy Santos, BA (Hons.)
- Email: csantos17@hsc.mb.ca
- Phone: 204-787-7424
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.