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Can the Use of Virtual Reality Improve TKA Outcomes

NCT06962046 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2025-05-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Virtual reality (VR) uses computer technology to create a three-dimensional environment which the user can explore and interact with. VR can be used to distract the patient during an operation and has been used to avoid sedative premedication, increase patient satisfaction and decrease pain during nerve blocks. VR used alongside spinal anaesthetic for hip, knee and ankle operations has shown a trend of less sedation being required with no decrease in patient satisfaction.

The most common type of anaesthesia given during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is spinal. Spinal anaesthesia is given unless there are complications or other conditions present, and general anaesthesia is given instead. General anaesthesia puts the patient to sleep during the operation, whereas spinal anaesthesia allows the patient to stay awake, but numbs the lower half of the body so no pain is felt. Sedation is usually given with spinal anaesthesia to make the patient relaxed and sleepy. Light sedation will allow the patient to be awake but relaxed, whereas deeper sedation means the patient is more likely to be asleep and less likely to recall what happened during the operation. Sedation can cause a number of side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, pain, confusion, memory loss and breathing difficulties.

In this study, all patients will receive spinal anaesthesia. Group 1 will receive VR and a light level of sedation, whilst Group 2 will not receive VR but will receive a deeper level of sedation (standard of care). When using VR during TKA, a lighter level of sedation should be required. This could help to reduce side effects and aid quicker patient recovery. This pilot study aims to investigate this further.

Conditions

  • Total Knee Arthroplasty

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Virtual Reality

* VR * Spinal anaesthesia * Limited propofol aiming for OAA/S of 4-5 (light sedation)

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • David Johnston · Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
100 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-10-16
Primary Completion
2025-12-31
Completion
2025-12-31

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06962046 on ClinicalTrials.gov