Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

VR Training to Improve Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery

China240 participantsStarted 2026-02-01

Plain-language summary

This clinical study aims to investigate whether virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training can help improve postoperative cognitive function in elderly non-cardiac surgery patients with pre-existing cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). As the global aging population undergoes an increasing number of surgical procedures, perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) have emerged as a serious complication among surgical patients, potentially prolonging hospital stays and increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study employs an innovative VR system that integrates eye-tracking cognitive assessment with interactive rehabilitation games to evaluate and train patients' cognitive function prior to non-cardiac and non-cranial surgeries. Conducted at Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University First Hospital, and Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, this research specifically targets patients undergoing general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other non-cranial/non-cardiac procedures. It seeks to validate whether this technology-based intervention can effectively enhance postoperative cognitive function in this population while exploring its underlying mechanisms. The findings may offer a practical solution for protecting cognitive health in elderly patients during recovery from routine surgical procedures.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Age≥60;
. Preoperative MRI-confirmed cerebral small vessel disease;
. Scheduled to undergo non-cardiac, non-craniotomy procedures under general anesthesia;
. ASA physical status classification: I-III;
. No use of cognitive-enhancing medications within 3 months prior to surgery;
. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

. Contraindications to cranial MRI (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, metallic implants, etc.);

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in postoperative cognitive score from baseline

Timeframe: At admission, on postoperative day 5 (or before discharge), and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07370844

SponsorPeking University Third Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-11-30

Contact for this trial

Zhengqian Li, Associate Chief Physician

+86 156 1190 8458 zhengqianli@hsc.pku.edu.cn

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cerebral Small Vessel Disease trials