Virtual-reality relaxation before refractive eye surgery to reduce preoperative anxiety

Evaluation of the Effects of Virtual Reality on Preoperative Anxiety in Refractive Surgery

NA · GCS Ramsay Santé pour l'Enseignement et la Recherche · NCT07050498

This study will test whether a short multisensory virtual-reality relaxation session before refractive surgery can lower anxiety and stress in adults having vision-correcting procedures.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment68 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGCS Ramsay Santé pour l'Enseignement et la Recherche (other)
Locations1 site (Marseille)
Trial IDNCT07050498 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, randomized, open-label, single-center trial comparing a virtual-reality multisensory immersion session given before refractive surgery to the usual preoperative routine in two parallel groups. Preoperative anxiety will be measured using the APAIS psychometric scale and salivary cortisol as a physiological stress marker. Eligible adults must be able to give informed consent and must not have contraindications to virtual reality or be on certain psychiatric or corticosteroid medications. The study is conducted at Clinique Monticelli in Marseille, France.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) scheduled for refractive surgery who can read French, give informed consent, and are not taking corticosteroids or psychotropic medications are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to virtual reality (for example uncontrolled epilepsy or significant hearing impairment), those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, on anxiolytics/antidepressants or corticosteroids, or with certain endocrine disorders are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the virtual-reality session could reduce patients' preoperative anxiety and physiological stress, making the surgical experience more comfortable.

How similar studies have performed: Virtual reality has shown anxiety-reducing effects in other preoperative and procedural settings, although evidence specifically in refractive eye surgery is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient aged 18 years or older,
* Patient who has read and signed the consent form for participation in the study after a reflection period (between 10 and 45 minutes)
* Patient who is a candidate for refractive surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindication to virtual reality (uncontrolled epilepsy, hearing impairment)
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patient
* Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, hypo- or hyperthyroidism
* Patient treated with topical or systemic corticosteroids
* Patient treated with neuroleptics, anxiolytics, or antidepressants
* Patient under legal protection, guardianship, or curatorship
* Patient participating in another blinded research study
* Patient not affiliated with the French social security system
* Patient unable to understand the information provided and/or give written informed consent: dementia, psychosis, impaired consciousness, non-French-speaking patient

Where this trial is running

Marseille

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Refractive Disorders, refractive surgery

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.