Impact of Virtual Reality on the Postoperative Balance of Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Overview

The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of immersive virtual reality on the static and dynamic balance and functionality of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis after spinal correction surgery. Secondarily, the objective was: (1) to analyze whether treatment with immersive virtual reality interferes with the hospitalization time of the studied population in relation to the average expected time; (2) to evaluate the impact of the use of immersive virtual reality in relation to the pain reported by adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis in the postoperative period; (3) to evaluate the impact of the use of immersive virtual reality on the functionality and quality of life of the studied population. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into 2 groups - virtual reality group (GRV) and control group (GC). Both groups will be assessed for pain, static and dynamic balance, length of stay, functionality and quality of life. Patients belonging to the virtual reality group will receive the intervention, which will consist of physiotherapeutic procedures usually used in the hospital applied by the institution's physiotherapist, and therapy with immersive virtual reality. The control group will receive only the physiotherapy offered by the hospital.

Introduction: Scoliosis affects between 2% and 4% of the world's pediatric population, among these, 80% have no known cause and belong to the idiopathic type of the disease. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), affecting individuals aged 10 to 18 years, is the most prevalent in the world. In severe cases, when the Cobb angle is greater than 50 degrees in the thoracic region and with a tendency to progression, the recommended treatment is surgery. With surgically promoted structural corrections, symptoms are often triggered, such as changes in balance. In addition to surgically triggered biomechanical changes, impairment of the somatosensory and vestibular systems and impaired neuromuscular control of the trunk, commonly associated with individuals with AIS, can influence the worsening of balance. Being determinant for the performance of different daily functional activities independently, and for the quality of human life, the rehabilitation of static and dynamic balance should be a priority in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after surgery. With an innovative technology, immersive virtual reality provides a level of realism and immersion greater than other means of virtual reality, making the user's expectations in relation to reality more congruent, and, therefore, being able to expand their motor evolution. In addition to being able to contribute to improving balance, VR is positively associated with the active engagement of individuals, improved posture and reduced apathy in performing care. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of using immersive virtual reality on the static and dynamic balance and functionality of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis after spinal correction surgery. Justification: With the increasing insertion of virtual reality as a therapeutic tool capable of contributing to the evolution of balance and other motor skills in different populations and due to changes in balance that the surgical procedure for scoliosis correction can cause, the importance of conducting a study to assess whether virtual reality interferes with balance recovery in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery. This study may contribute to the identification of a possible treatment for the patient's functional recovery after AIS surgery. Methods: This study is characterized as a double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial with intentional sampling. Data collection will be carried out at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital Complex in Porto Alegre - Santo Antônio Children's Hospital. The activities involving the study participants will only start after approval of the project by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (CEP-UFCSPA) and the Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre (CEP /ISCMPA). Individuals of both sexes, aged between 11 and 18 years old, diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and in the postoperative period of spine correction surgery will be included in the research. Participants who have: moderate to severe cognitive impairment will be excluded from the analysis; difficulty understanding simple orders; other physical conditions that limit trunk movements, orthostasis and/or cause pain; and medical contraindication. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into 2 groups - virtual reality group (GRV) and control group (GC). Data analysis will be presented through descriptive statistics appropriate to the nature and distribution of each variable. The significance level adopted for the study will be 5% (α = 0.05) and the statistical program for data analysis will be SPSS for Windows, version 25.