Virtual Reality Distraction Technique to Improve Chest Burns With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Summary

Inhalation of toxic gases and chemical irritants during the fire leads to damage to the respiratory tract or the alveolar tissue, which is known as smoke inhalation injury. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is associated with smoke inhalation injury. These patients usually need physiotherapy in the form of chest mobilization and breathing exercises for up to 4 to 6 weeks after discharge from the burns care centre. The patients during this phase are usually in pain and extremely anxious about these exercises. Virtual reality distraction (VRD) is one such technique that is gaining immense popularity recently, it has more immersive distraction when compared to traditional distraction techniques. This study aims to investigate the effect of a virtual reality distraction (VRD) technique as a pain alleviation tool for reducing pain during physiotherapy in burns patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a hospital setting.

Conditions

• Burns Chest Left Lateral
• Burns Chest Right Lateral
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Interventions

DEVICE

Virtual reality

The Oculus Rift's (Lenovo, Beijing, China) "Fujii - Mystical Journey" was the game played by the VRD group on a tablet. The game is a peaceful, ethereal voyage that passes through several surreal, natural locations. The game combines elements of adventure, agriculture and revitalizing music. It alternates between outdoor exploration and inventive gardening. Players explore three different magical biomes. The life force in each biome is restored by interacting with the plants and animals there.

PROCEDURE

Progressive muscle relaxation

The patients of the control group performed Progressive muscle relaxation technique, a relaxation technique used to control pain. It is believed that anxiety-inducing thoughts result in muscle tension and hence muscle relaxation can reduce anxiety. The relaxation technique consisted of tensing and relaxing different muscles, starting from the toes and finally involving muscles of the head and neck. It was recommended that this be done in a peaceful, distraction-free environment. The muscle groups were tensed for a period of 5 seconds and then relaxed for 30 seconds.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gopal Nambi, PhD · Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-09-01

Primary Completion

2022-12-31

Completion

2022-12-31

Countries

• Saudi Arabia

Study Locations