CompletedNot Applicable

Virtual Reality Supported Mindfulness Meditation After Cardiovascular Surgery

Turkey (Türkiye)34 participantsStarted 2025-03-30

Plain-language summary

The early postoperative period following cardiovascular surgery is often associated with increased anxiety, stress, and physiological instability. Mindfulness-based interventions and virtual reality applications have emerged as potential supportive approaches to improve psychological well-being and promote recovery in clinical settings. This study aims to examine the short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation on psychological and physiological outcomes in patients who have completed the intensive care phase after cardiovascular surgery and have been transferred to the ward. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental trial including 34 patients (intervention group n=17, control group n=17). In addition to standard postoperative care, the intervention group received a 15-minute virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation session, while the control group received standard care only. Psychological outcomes include state anxiety, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect. Physiological parameters include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Data were collected at multiple time points using an ecological momentary assessment approach. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the feasibility and short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness interventions in postoperative cardiovascular surgery patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 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: * Patients aged 18 to 65 years * Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve repair surgery * Patients monitored in the postoperative period in the clinical ward following the intensive care unit stay * Hemodynamically stable patients within the first 12 to 48 hours after surgery, defined as heart rate 60-100 beats/min, blood pressure 90/60-140/90 mmHg, oxygen saturation ≥92%, and respiratory rate 12-20 breaths/min * Patients who were conscious, able to communicate verbally, and able to understand and follow instructions * Patients without visual or hearing impairment and physically able to use the virtual reality device * Patients without a history of psychiatric diagnosis or treatment, based on self-report * Patients who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who underwent major vascular surgery such as aortic aneurysm repair, aortic dissection repair, carotid endarterectomy, or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair * Patients who developed serious postoperative complications requiring emergency intervention within the first 12 to 48 hours after surgery, such as acute renal failure, pulmonary embolism, or severe bleeding * Patients using continuously high-dose beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs due to uncontrolled hypertension or heart failure * Patients with prior experience in mindfulness meditation * Patients dependent on mechanical cardiac support devices or requiring continuous…

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

State Anxiety

Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07523594

SponsorKutahya Health Sciences University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cardiovascular Surgery trials