Virtual Reality for Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery (NCT07493499) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Virtual Reality for Postoperative Recovery After Major Abdominal Surgery
Egypt60 participantsStarted 2026-03-28
Plain-language summary
Major abdominal surgery often leads to significant postoperative pain, anxiety, and prolonged hospital stays, which can delay overall recovery. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance the quality of recovery and reduce the length of hospital stay. Patients in the intervention group will engage in standardized VR sessions featuring guided relaxation and mindfulness-based stress reduction, starting from the evening before surgery through the third postoperative day. The study compares this VR-enhanced protocol against standard perioperative care within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) framework. The findings are expected to determine if VR can serve as a feasible and effective tool to improve clinical outcomes and patient well-being in surgical wards.
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
1
Quality of Postoperative Recovery (QoR-15)
Timeframe: Time Frame: Baseline (day before surgery), Postoperative Day 1, Postoperative Day 2, Postoperative Day 3, and at hospital discharge.
2
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 completion2026-04
Contact for this trial
Mohamed Fakhry Ahmed Salem Dr. Mohamed Fakhry Ahmed Salem, PhD