CompletedNot Applicable

Effect of AI-Personalized Virtual Reality on Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery

Egypt84 participantsStarted 2026-03-28

Plain-language summary

Major abdominal surgery is frequently associated with postoperative pain, anxiety, delayed recovery, and prolonged hospitalization. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an AI-personalized virtual reality (VR) intervention as an adjunct to routine postoperative care in improving recovery outcomes among patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Participants assigned to the intervention group receive immersive VR sessions delivered through a smartphone-based head-mounted display integrated with an AI-assisted personalization system. The system combines patient-reported pain and anxiety levels, postoperative recovery status, emotional state estimates obtained through facial emotion recognition technology, and previous session feedback to personalize VR content and enhance patient engagement. VR sessions are initiated on the first postoperative day and administered twice daily until hospital discharge. The primary outcome is postoperative quality of recovery measured using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, anxiety, recovery milestones, opioid requirements, simulator sickness, and length of hospital stay. The study compares AI-personalized VR plus routine postoperative care with routine postoperative care alone. Findings from this trial will help determine whether AI-enhanced VR is a feasible, safe, and effective strategy for improving postoperative recovery and reducing hospital stay following major abdominal surgery.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 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: * Adult patients aged 18 to 60 years. * Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery (e.g., colorectal, gastric, or hepatobiliary procedures). * Physical and cognitive ability to provide informed consent. * Ability to use and interact with Virtual Reality (VR) equipment (head-mounted display). * Followed the standardized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol at the hospital. Exclusion Criteria: \- Patients with a history of epilepsy or photosensitive seizures. * Significant cognitive impairment or diagnosed psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study participation. * Severe visual or auditory impairments that prevent effective interaction with VR content. * Patients with pre-existing motion sickness or severe vertigo. * Presence of open wounds or infections in the head or face area that prevent wearing the VR headset.

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

Quality of Postoperative Recovery (QoR-15)

Timeframe: Time Frame: Baseline (day before surgery), postoperative day 1 (POD1), postoperative day 3 (POD3), at hospital discharge, and on postoperative day 7 follow-up.

Length of Hospital Stay (LOS)

Timeframe: Time Frame: From date of surgery until hospital discharge (up to 30 days).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07493499

SponsorAlexandria University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05-10

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Abdominal Surgery trials