Virtual Reality Supported Mindfulness Meditation After Cardiovascular Surgery

Overview

The early postoperative period following cardiovascular surgery is often associated with increased anxiety, stress, and physiological instability. Mindfulness-based interventions and virtual reality applications have emerged as potential supportive approaches to improve psychological well-being and promote recovery in clinical settings. This study aims to examine the short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation on psychological and physiological outcomes in patients who have completed the intensive care phase after cardiovascular surgery and have been transferred to the ward. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental trial including 34 patients (intervention group n=17, control group n=17). In addition to standard postoperative care, the intervention group received a 15-minute virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation session, while the control group received standard care only. Psychological outcomes include state anxiety, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect. Physiological parameters include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Data were collected at multiple time points using an ecological momentary assessment approach. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the feasibility and short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness interventions in postoperative cardiovascular surgery patients.

The early postoperative period following cardiovascular surgery is characterized by increased psychological distress and physiological instability. Patients frequently experience elevated levels of anxiety, perceived stress, and fluctuations in vital signs after being transferred from the intensive care unit to the ward. These factors may negatively affect recovery and overall well-being. Therefore, there is a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions that can support both psychological and physiological stabilization in this critical period. Mindfulness-based interventions have been widely used to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technologies have been introduced as a novel tool to deliver mindfulness practices through immersive and engaging environments. VR-supported mindfulness may provide a practical and effective approach, particularly for postoperative patients with limited mobility. This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, non-randomized controlled trial to examine the short-term psychophysiological effects of VR-supported mindfulness meditation in patients after cardiovascular surgery. The study included a total of 34 patients who had completed the intensive care phase and were transferred to the ward (intervention group n=17, control group n=17). In addition to standard postoperative care, the intervention group received a single 15-minute VR-supported mindful body scan meditation session. The control group received standard care only. Data collection was conducted using an ecological momentary assessment approach at multiple time points. In the intervention group, measurements were performed before the intervention, immediately after the session (15th minute), at the 1st hour, and at the 3rd hour. In the control group, measurements were obtained at baseline, 1st hour, and 3rd hour. Psychological outcomes included state anxiety, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect. Physiological parameters included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and short-term effects of VR-supported mindfulness meditation on psychological and physiological outcomes in patients during the early postoperative period following cardiovascular surgery.