Using virtual reality to manage pain after hip surgery

The Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Pain Control Modality After Hip Arthroscopy

Not applicable Interventional Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NCT05868369

This study is testing whether using virtual reality can help adults manage pain better after hip surgery compared to regular pain medications.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCedars-Sinai Medical Center Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05868369 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research assesses the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (iVR) as a pain management tool following hip arthroscopy compared to a standard multimodal pain regimen that includes opioids. The study involves adult patients undergoing elective hip arthroscopy, who will receive a 30-minute iVR experience in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) alongside standard pain management. The primary focus is to evaluate the impact of iVR on pain, anxiety, and nausea scores, as well as opioid consumption. Data will be collected through medical record reviews and pre-operative and post-operative surveys.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older undergoing elective hip arthroscopy for hip pathology.

Not a fit: Patients with traumatic injuries, those undergoing revision surgeries, or individuals unable to use VR due to medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce postoperative pain and opioid use for patients after hip arthroscopy.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using virtual reality for pain management, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients 18 years of age or older with hip pathology
* Failed non-operative treatment of hip pathology
* Undergoing primary, elective and isolated hip arthroscopy for their hip pathology
* Complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

* Minors (17 years of age and younger)
* Traumatic injuries undergoing emergent surgery
* Undergoing revision hip arthroscopic surgery
* Do not complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaires
* Patients not able to undergo elective surgery
* Pregnant women
* Prisoners
* Patients with conditions that interfere with VR usage including: history of seizure or epilepsy, facial injury precluding safe placement of headset, visual impairment impacting ability to visualize VR images, hearing impairment impacting ability to follow audio instructions

Where this trial is running

Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hip Pain Chronicvirtual reality
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.