ViRDOS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual reality distraction therapy to improve patient experience in orthopaedic surgery, a feasibility study
IRAS ID
272719
Contact name
Caroline B Hing
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The aim of the study is to determine the feasibility of recruiting patients to a study to determine if VR reduces pain and anxiety following hand surgery performed under local anaesthetic. Whilst studies exist in the literature investigating the use of VR to reduce pain with spinal anaesthesia, there are no current studies investigating its use in hand surgery (clinicaltrials.gov). Current standard of care for patients does not involve any specific measures to reduce anxiety before or during surgery in awake patients. We want to determine the applicability of using VR to reduce pain and anxiety in hand surgery patients who are awake during their surgery.
The aim of the study is to determine if patients will accept the recruitment process and can tolerate wearing the virtual reality (VR) goggles with no side effects such as headaches, nausea or dizziness. VR goggles are currently used in the NHS to help with pain control in wound care and line insertion. Further studies are needed to determine their efficacy in a surgical setting. The aim of the study is to inform the design of a larger scale randomised controlled trial (RCT).
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0430
Date of REC Opinion
18 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion