NCT04464304

Virtual Reality for Postoperative Pain Management

Virtual Reality for Postoperative Pain Management After Head and Neck Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 89 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This trial studies an active virtual reality (VR) experience as a means for non-pharmacologic postoperative pain management among patients after head and neck surgery. Investigators will assess differences in pain scores, analgesic use, and subjective patient experiences between patients participating in a VR activity and patients participating in the same activity using a smartphone.

Detailed description

Management of postoperative pain after head and neck surgery is complex, and has received increased attention to improve patient recovery and quality of life. Narcotic analgesics are frequently utilized in postoperative pain management, but these have risks including nausea, sedation, constipation, and dependence. Multimodal analgesia can reduce narcotic use and improve recovery, but medical comorbidities may contraindicate the use of certain medications. Non-pharmacologic measures for postoperative pain control may provide novel and cost-effective strategies to confront this complex issue. Patients undergoing head and neck surgery will be randomly allocated to participate in an immersive experience in VR, or to participate in a similar experience on a two-dimensional screen using a smartphone.

Conditions

• Surgery
• Pain, Postoperative
• Incision
• Otolaryngological Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Smartphone	Patients will participate in a similar game to the VR cohort, but will use a smartphone device.
DEVICE	Virtual Reality (Oculus Quest)	Patients will participate in a game using VR.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-07-11
• Primary completion: 2021-10-20
• Completion: 2021-10-20
• First posted: 2020-07-09
• Last updated: 2021-10-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States