Can the Use of Virtual Reality Improve TKA Outcomes

Sponsor
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Study ID
NCT06962046
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Total Knee Arthroplasty

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 100 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Virtual Reality — PROCEDURE
    * VR * Spinal anaesthesia * Limited propofol aiming for OAA/S of 4-5 (light sedation)

Study Details

Virtual reality (VR) uses computer technology to create a three-dimensional environment which the user can explore and interact with. VR can be used to distract the patient during an operation and has been used to avoid sedative premedication, increase patient satisfaction and decrease pain during nerve blocks. VR used alongside spinal anaesthetic for hip, knee and ankle operations has shown a trend of less sedation being required with no decrease in patient satisfaction. The most common type of anaesthesia given during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is spinal. Spinal anaesthesia is given unless there are complications or other conditions present, and general anaesthesia is given instead. General anaesthesia puts the patient to sleep during the operation, whereas spinal anaesthesia allows the patient to stay awake, but numbs the lower half of the body so no pain is felt. Sedation is usually given with spinal anaesthesia to make the patient relaxed and sleepy. Light sedation will allow the patient to be awake but relaxed, whereas deeper sedation means the patient is more likely to be asleep and less likely to recall what happened during the operation. Sedation can cause a number of side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, pain, confusion, memory loss and breathing difficulties. In this study, all patients will receive spinal anaesthesia. Group 1 will receive VR and a light level of sedation, whilst Group 2 will not receive VR but will receive a deeper level of sedation (standard of care). When using VR during TKA, a lighter level of sedation should be required. This could help to reduce side effects and aid quicker patient recovery. This pilot study aims to investigate this further.

Key Dates

First listed
May 8, 2025
Start date
Oct 16, 2024
Status verified
Jan 2025
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2025
Completion
Dec 31, 2025

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Virtual Reality
  • No Intervention: Control
    Standard Care

Primary Outcome Measure

Feasibility of using VR during total knee arthroplasty with spinal anaesthesia [ Time Frame: Postoperative Day 1 ]

Central Contacts

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