Using virtual reality to reduce anxiety before anesthesia
Effect of Virtual Reality Immersion on Patient's Anxiety During Pre-oxygenation Before General Anaesthesia: a Pilot Study
This study tests if using virtual reality can help calm patients' nerves before they receive anesthesia for surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lugano, Ticino) |
| Trial ID | NCT06823141 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates whether virtual reality immersion can help reduce anxiety in patients undergoing pre-oxygenation before general anesthesia. The study focuses on non-ambulatory patients who are 18 years or older and are scheduled for elective surgeries. It aims to assess the feasibility of implementing virtual reality as a calming tool and its impact on both patient and anesthetist comfort during the procedure. The trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in alleviating anxiety levels.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are non-ambulatory patients aged 18 and older scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric conditions, or those requiring pre-operative medication may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce anxiety for patients undergoing anesthesia, leading to a more comfortable surgical experience.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in medical settings is gaining traction, this specific application in pre-oxygenation before anesthesia is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All non-ambulatory patients undergoing elective surgery or procedure under general anaesthesia with intravenous induction * Minimal age of 18 year old * Able to give informed consent for the study as documented by signature Exclusion Criteria: * Lacking capacity or ability to complete the consent form and/or questionnaire and interview method and/or incapacity to respond to the required obligations linked to the study protocol (assessed by the operator) * Known cognitive dysfunction, previous history of neurological/psychiatric disease like epilepsy * Depression or anxiety under treatment * Non-Italian speaking patients * Anticipated difficult airway management * Injuries to the head/face that would prohibit wearing headsets * Active nasal bleeding or occlusion, nasal abnormality or recent nasal trauma, recent nasal surgery, significant raised intracranial pressure and base of skull fractures * Any pre-operative premedication, including pharmacological premedication * Rapid sequence induction * Haemodynamic instability * Infectious skin conditions on the head/face * Undrained pneumothorax * Contact isolation due to bacteria and viruses * Symptoms of vertigo or motion sickness * Reduced visual or auditory acuity * BMI \> 35 kg/m2 * Pregnancy * Claustrophobia * Pre-existing hypoxemia (baseline oxygen saturation \< 92% when breathing room air) * Need for an arterial line before general anaesthesia induction
Where this trial is running
Lugano, Ticino
- Istituto Cardiocentro — Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hervé Schlotterbeck, Medical Doctor
- Email: herve.schlotterbeck@eoc.ch
- Phone: 0041 91 811 51 89
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.