Effects of Virtual Reality After Liver Transplantation (VR-LT)
Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Fatigue and Vital Signs After Liver Transplantation A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation. Postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue may negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Virtual reality has emerged as a non-pharmacological method that may help reduce these symptoms by providing distraction and relaxation.
A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality session, while the control group received standard care. Pain, fatigue and vital signs were measured before and after the intervention.
This study aims to determine whether virtual reality can improve patient comfort and physiological stability and support recovery after liver transplantation.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Condiciones
Intervención / Tratamiento
Descripción detallada
This study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind trial to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue, and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure; however, patients frequently experience postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue, which may negatively affect recovery, physiological stability, and overall patient comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions have gained increasing attention in recent years as supportive approaches to improve postoperative outcomes. Virtual reality is an emerging technology that provides immersive distraction and relaxation, potentially reducing symptom perception and enhancing patient well-being.
The study was conducted in the organ transplantation clinic of a university hospital between May 2025 and January 2026. A total of 84 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=42) or the control group (n=42) using a computer-based randomization method.
Patients in the experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period, while patients in the control group received standard care without additional intervention. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), fatigue levels were measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded. All measurements were obtained before the intervention and 15 minutes after the intervention.
The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of virtual reality on fatigue levels. Secondary outcomes included pain and vital signs. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
This study aims to contribute to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological nursing intervention and to support its integration into clinical practice to improve postoperative care in liver transplantation patients.
Tipo de estudio
Inscripción (Actual)
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Ubicaciones de estudio
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Malatya, Turquía (Türkiye)
- Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute
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Criterios de participación
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
- Adulto
- Adulto Mayor
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
Descripción
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥18 years
- Underwent liver transplantation
- In the early postoperative period
- Able to communicate verbally
- No diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Hemodynamically stable
- Pain score ≥4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
- Willing to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of severe postoperative complications
- Cognitive impairment or inability to understand instructions
- Visual or hearing impairments preventing use of virtual reality
- History of motion sickness or vertigo related to virtual reality use
- Chronic diseases that may affect fatigue or vital signs (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory diseases)
- Refusal to participate
Plan de estudios
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Tratamiento
- Asignación: Aleatorizado
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
- Enmascaramiento: Único
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / Tratamiento |
|---|---|
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Experimental: Experimental Group
Participants received a 20 minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation.
The intervention was administered using a head mounted display and aimed to reduce fatigue and improve physiological parameters
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A 20 minute immersive virtual reality session was administered using a headmounted display during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation.
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Comparador activo: Control Group
Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention
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Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention
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¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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Change in fatigue severity
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in fatigue severity measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) total score (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater fatigue)
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Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Medidas de resultado secundarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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Change in pain intensity
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater pain)
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Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in heart rate (beats per minute)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm).
Heart rate was recorded as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the physiological response to the virtual reality intervention.
Lower values may indicate improved relaxation and autonomic stability.
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Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Blood pressure was recorded as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the cardiovascular response to the virtual reality intervention.
Lower values may indicate improved physiological stability and relaxation.
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Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Blood pressure was assessed as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the cardiovascular response to the intervention.
Lower values may indicate improved physiological stability.
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Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Patrocinador
Fechas de registro del estudio
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
Finalización primaria (Actual)
Finalización del estudio (Actual)
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última verificación
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales
- Dolor
- Manifestaciones neurológicas
- Complicaciones Postoperatorias
- Procesos Patológicos
- Condiciones Patológicas, Signos y Síntomas
- Signos y síntomas
- Dolor Postoperatorio
- Fatiga
- Administración de Servicios de Salud
- Calidad, acceso y evaluación de la atención médica
- Calidad de la atención médica
- Indicadores de calidad, atención médica
- Estándar de cuidado
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- 25H04 (Otro número de subvención/financiamiento: Malatya Turgut Ozal University Scientific Research Projects Unit)
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
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Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
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