Virtual Reality for Appendectomy Pain

Overview

To determine the impact of VR-Biofeedback and VR-Distraction on pain and medication utilization in children and adolescents undergoing surgery for ruptured appendix.

Full Title of Study: “Functional Response to Immersive Virtual Reality in Pediatric Patients Post-Laparoscopic Appedectomy”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Other
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: August 30, 2021

Interventions

  • Other: VR-Biofeedback
    • Participants will be instructed to use the Mindful Aurora Application
  • Other: VR-Distraction
    • Participants will be instructed to use one of four applications

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Other: VR-Biofeedback
  • Other: VR-Distraction

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Effect on VR-biofeedback on anxiety
    • Time Frame: Before 10 minute VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a visual analog scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect on VR-biofeedback on anxiety
    • Time Frame: Immediately after VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect on VR-biofeedback on anxiety
    • Time Frame: 15 minutes after VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect on VR-biofeedback on anxiety
    • Time Frame: 30 minutes after VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect of VR-biofeedback on pain
    • Time Frame: Postoperatively 24 – 90 hours.
    • Pain scores will be collected. Pain will be rated using the numerical rating scale. Participant will rate their pain from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
  • Effect of VR-biofeedback on medication use
    • Time Frame: 24-90 hours
    • Amount of pain medications used will be collected
  • Effect of VR-distraction on anxiety
    • Time Frame: Before 10 minute VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect of VR-distraction on anxiety
    • Time Frame: Immediately after 10 minute VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect of VR-distraction on anxiety
    • Time Frame: 15 minutes after 10 minute VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect of VR-distraction on anxiety
    • Time Frame: 30 minutes after 10 minute VR session.
    • Anxiety scores will be collected. Anxiety will be rated using a numerical rating scale. Anxiety will be rated from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no anxiety 10 being severe anxiety.
  • Effect of VR-distraction on pain
    • Time Frame: Postoperatively 24 – 90 hours.
    • Pain scores will be collected. Pain will be rated using the numerical rating scale. Participant will rate their pain from 0 – 10. 0 meaning no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
  • Effect of VR-distraction on medication use
    • Time Frame: 24-90 hours
    • Pain medications used will be collected

Secondary Measures

  • Role of anxiety on changes in pain
    • Time Frame: One time prior to study visit
    • Participants will complete a questionnaire regarding anxiety
  • Role of pain catastrophizing
    • Time Frame: One time prior to study visit
    • Participants will complete a questionnaire regarding pain

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 8 – 18 years – Able to read, understand, and speak English – Patients in the immediate postoperative period following laparoscopic appendectomy for ruptured appendix Exclusion Criteria:

  • Outside of age range (<8 or >18 years) – History of developmental delays, uncontrolled psychiatric conditions, or neurological conditions (especially epilepsy and/or significant motion sickness/nausea/vomiting) – History of vertigo, dizziness, and/or seizure disorders – Conditions that would preclude the application of the VR headset, such as craniofacial deformities – History of chronic pain, frequent opioid use and/or active cancer therapy

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 8 Years

Maximum Age: 18 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Vanessa Olbrecht, MD, Principal Investigator, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

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