RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Can the Use of Virtual Reality Improve TKA Outcomes

This study is investigating if virtual reality (VR) can improve recovery for patients having a total knee replacement. VR creates a pretend 3D world you can explore. When used during an operation, it can help distract patients and make them feel less worried or in pain. During a knee replacement, patients often get a spinal injection to numb their lower body and strong medicines (sedation) to help them relax or even sleep. This study wants to see if using VR means patients need less of these relaxing medicines, which can sometimes have side effects like feeling sick or drowsy. If successful, VR could lead to a smoother recovery for people having knee surgery.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Enrolment target

Start

16 Oct 2024

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2025

Total Knee Arthroplasty

What is this study about?

Imagine being able to explore a relaxing virtual world while having knee replacement surgery. This study is exploring if using virtual reality (VR) could make your experience better. When you have a total knee replacement, doctors usually numb the lower part of your body with a spinal injection so you don't feel any pain during the operation. To help you feel calm and relaxed, they often give you medicine called sedation, which can make you sleepy. This study is looking into whether using VR could mean you need less of that relaxing medicine.

Sedation medicines are very helpful, but they can sometimes cause unwanted side effects like feeling sick, dizzy, or confused afterwards, and can even slow down your recovery. If VR can help you stay relaxed without needing as much strong medicine, it could potentially lead to fewer side effects and a quicker return to your normal activities. This study is a small pilot, meaning it's one of the first times this idea is being carefully tested.

In this study, patients having knee replacement surgery will be divided into two groups. One group will use VR during their operation and receive a lighter dose of relaxing medicine. The other group, which is currently the usual way things are done, will not use VR but will receive a slightly stronger dose of relaxing medicine to keep them comfortable. Researchers will then compare how both groups feel during and after the surgery, looking at things like their comfort, recovery time, and any side effects.

Key takeaways

The study explores VR's ability to reduce strong relaxing medicines during knee surgery.
Potential benefits include fewer side effects and faster recovery for patients.
Patients will either use VR or receive slightly more relaxing medicine.
Both groups will have spinal anaesthesia to prevent pain.
Participation involves your standard surgery and immediate recovery period.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you generally need to be at least 18 years old and scheduled for a routine knee replacement operation. Your overall health should be good, and you should not have any serious ongoing medical conditions.

There are certain reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have conditions like severe medical problems, dementia, epilepsy, or a history of motion sickness, this study might not be suitable for you. Also, if your eyesight is very poor even with glasses, or if you wear hearing aids, you might not be able to use the VR equipment properly.

Finally, you need to be able to understand information given in English and be able to give your clear agreement to take part. The study is also not for people having very long or complex surgery, or if you've already been given relaxing medicine before the operation or chosen to have different type of anaesthetic.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Are you having routine total knee replacement surgery?
Do you generally have good health (not severe conditions)?
Can you understand explanations in English?
Do you have good enough vision to wear a VR headset (even with your glasses)?
Do you *not* have a history of motion sickness, epilepsy, or severe memory problems?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive a spinal injection to numb your lower body for the knee replacement surgery. If you are in the VR group, you will wear a special headset that shows you a virtual world during your operation, along with a light dose of relaxing medicine. If you are in the other group, you will not use VR but will receive a slightly stronger dose of relaxing medicine. Researchers will monitor you carefully during and after the surgery. There are no extra hospital visits required beyond your standard care. The total duration of your involvement will be around your hospital stay and immediate recovery period, as the study focuses on the immediate impact of VR during and after surgery.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer potential benefits, such as experiencing less anxiety and potentially requiring less strong relaxing medicine, which might lead to fewer side effects and a quicker recovery. However, as with any medical study, there are potential risks. Using VR might cause some people to feel dizzy or motion sick, although steps will be taken to minimise this. The relaxing medicines, even in lighter doses, still carry some risk of side effects. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Musgrave Park Hospital
Verified postcode
Belfast, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

VR is like wearing special goggles that show you a pretend 3D world you can look around in and even interact with, making you feel like you're really there.

What is spinal anaesthesia?

It's an injection in your back that makes the lower half of your body numb so you don't feel pain during surgery, but you stay awake.

Why is this study important?

It helps us understand if VR can make knee replacement surgery more comfortable for patients and potentially help them recover faster by needing less strong relaxing medicines.

Will I have to pay to use VR?

No, if you are part of the study, the VR equipment and its use will be provided as part of the research at no cost to you.

Can I choose which group I'm in?

No, you will be randomly assigned to one of the groups, like flipping a coin, to make sure the study results are fair and unbiased.

How to find out more

Nicola Gallagher

nicola.gallagher@belfasttrust.hscni.net 02895043746 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.