NCT07375472

Distraction Techniques for Postoperative Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

he Effect of Virtual Reality Headset, Squishy (Squeeze Toy), and Poetry Reading on Postoperative Pain Control After Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (actual)
• Sponsor: Izmir Tinaztepe University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of three distraction techniques-virtual reality (VR) headset, squishy (squeeze toy), and poetry reading-on postoperative pain control in adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Participants are randomized into four parallel groups (three intervention arms and one usual care control). Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with primary assessment at 24 hours after surgery.

Detailed description

Total knee arthroplasty is a common orthopedic procedure that can be associated with significant postoperative pain. In addition to standard pharmacological analgesia, non-pharmacological approaches such as distraction techniques may help reduce perceived pain by redirecting attention away from nociceptive stimuli. This single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic of Osmaniye State Hospital in Türkiye. Eligible adults (≥18 years) undergoing total knee arthroplasty will be randomized using a stratified block randomization approach based on baseline pain severity (VAS 0-3, 4-6, 7-10) to ensure balanced allocation across groups. The intervention arms include (1) VR headset distraction, (2) use of a squishy (squeeze toy) as a tactile distraction method, and (3) poetry reading as a cognitive distraction method. The control group receives usual postoperative care without a structured distraction intervention. All groups follow the same postoperative analgesia protocol. The primary outcome is postoperative pain intensity measured by VAS at 24 hours after surgery.

Conditions

• Total Knee Arthroplasty
• Postoperative Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	VR Distraction	A supervised virtual reality distraction session delivered via a VR headset during postoperative hospitalization to support non-pharmacological pain management.
BEHAVIORAL	Tactile Distraction With Squishy	Use of a squishy (squeeze toy) as a tactile distraction technique during postoperative hospitalization as part of non-pharmacological pain management.
BEHAVIORAL	Poetry Reading Distraction	Structured poetry reading conducted during postoperative hospitalization as a cognitive distraction approach to support non-pharmacological pain management.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-14
• Primary completion: 2026-01-10
• Completion: 2026-01-10
• First posted: 2026-01-29
• Last updated: 2026-01-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)