This is a randomized, controlled trial designed to investigate whether the use of virtual reality immersive relaxation during hand/arm operations can allow for a relaxing operating room experience for patients while potentially reducing anesthesia requirements.
The proposed study is a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of VR as an adjunct to standard anesthetic practice for upper extremity surgery. Patients will be randomized to undergo immersion relaxation via the use of VR during their procedure or control. In both groups patients will undergo regional anesthesia preoperatively according to standard practice. Patients will then be assessed postoperatively to assess the intraoperative propofol dose between groups, as well as secondary outcomes including patient satisfaction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
The software developed by VRHealth allows patients to select from scenery such as mountains, the beach or from a selection of short videos, which are intended to promote relaxation.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Intraoperative Propofol Dose
Total propofol dose (mg/kg/min) administered intraoperatively will be measured for the duration of the procedure.
Time frame: 60 minutes
Other Intraoperative Anesthetics or Analgesics Administered
Total dose of additional anesthetics (other than propofol) or analgesics administered intraoperatively will be measured for the duration of the procedure.
Time frame: 60 minutes
Total Intraoperative Propofol Administered
Total propofol dose (mg bolus, mg infusion, and mg total) administered intraoperatively will be measured for the duration of the procedure.
Time frame: 60 minutes
Length of PACU Stay
The length of the patients stay in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit will be measured in minutes
Time frame: Duration of the patient's stay in the post anesthesia care unit, 100 minutes
Pain Assessed by Eleven Point Numerical Rating Scale
Clinically documented pain scores will be recorded on a scale from 0 (best outcome) to 10 (worst outcome).
Time frame: Duration of stay in the post anesthesia care unit, 100 minutes
Overall Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction will be assessed using a survey which asks about ease of use, programming preferences and overall study satisfaction. The satisfaction score will be reported on a scale from 0 (worst outcome; very unsatisfied) to 100 (best outcome; very satisfied).
Time frame: PACU discharge
Patient Survey: Agreement With the Following Statements (0-100)
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Patients are asked their level of agreement with statements about how well their pain was controlled, whether they felt anxious, whether they felt relaxed, whether they could remember their time in surgery, and whether they would be interested in using VR for another surgery. The total score will be reported on a scale from 0 (worst outcome, no agreement) to 100 (best outcome, total agreement).
Time frame: PACU discharge
Hand Disability (QuickDASH)
As assessed by the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; a patient reported outcome scale regarding hand disability. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).
Time frame: One month postoperatively
Difference Between Preoperative and Postoperative QuickDASH Scores
As assessed by the QuickDASH score, a patient reported outcome scale regarding hand disability. Higher scores indicate a patient's worse disability. This is to measure the difference in patient's disability before vs after their surgery.
Time frame: One month postoperatively