Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Cryotherapy on Postoperative Pain and Anxiety Among Women Undergoing Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Three-Arm Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 120
- 主要终点
- Postoperative Pain Intensity
研究概览
简要总结
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality and cryotherapy, used separately and in combination, in reducing postoperative pain and anxiety among women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups or a control group according to the study design. Postoperative pain and anxiety will be assessed using validated measurement tools at predetermined time points after surgery. The findings of this study may provide evidence for safe, non-pharmacological interventions to improve postoperative recovery and patient comfort following cesarean section.
详细描述
Cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. Despite advances in perioperative care, many women continue to experience moderate to severe postoperative pain and anxiety, which can negatively affect early mobilization, breastfeeding, maternal-infant bonding, and overall recovery. Although pharmacological analgesia remains the standard of care, non-pharmacological interventions may provide additional benefits while minimizing medication-related adverse effects.
Virtual reality is an immersive distraction technique that has shown promise in reducing pain perception and anxiety in various clinical settings. Cryotherapy is another non-pharmacological intervention that may reduce pain through local cooling, decreased nerve conduction velocity, and reduced inflammatory responses. However, evidence regarding their combined effectiveness after cesarean section remains limited.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality and cryotherapy, individually and in combination, on postoperative pain and anxiety among women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to the study groups according to the trial protocol. Pain and anxiety outcomes will be measured using validated assessment instruments at predefined postoperative time points. The primary outcomes are postoperative pain intensity and anxiety. The results are expected to contribute to evidence-based postoperative nursing care by identifying effective, safe, and feasible non-pharmacological interventions for women undergoing cesarean section.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and care providers cannot be blinded. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation whenever feasible. Data analysis will be performed using coded treatment groups until completion of the primary analysis.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 45 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Female participants aged 18 to 45 years. Undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamically stable after surgery. Able to understand Arabic. Conscious, oriented, and able to complete study questionnaires. Willing to participate and provide written informed consent.
排除标准
- •Undergoing cesarean section under general anesthesia. Severe postoperative complications requiring intensive care. Severe visual or hearing impairment preventing virtual reality use. History of epilepsy or seizure disorder. Severe motion sickness or vestibular disorders. Known psychiatric illness interfering with outcome assessment. Cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires. Skin disease, wound complications, cold hypersensitivity, Raynaud's phenomenon, or allergy/intolerance to cryotherapy.
- •Severe intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. Refusal to participate or withdrawal of informed consent.
研究组 & 干预措施
Virtual Reality
Participants receive a 30-minute virtual reality intervention using a head-mounted display with calming audiovisual content in addition to routine postoperative care following cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.
干预措施: Virtual Reality (Device)
Cryotherapy
Participants receive cryotherapy using cold gel packs (10-15°C) applied over or near the cesarean incision area for 15 minutes with a protective barrier, in addition to routine postoperative care.
干预措施: Cryotherapy (Other)
Routine Care Control
Participants receive routine postoperative care according to the hospital protocol without virtual reality or cryotherapy during the study assessment period.
结局指标
主要结局
Postoperative Pain Intensity
时间窗: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention, 2 hours after the intervention, and 6 hours after the intervention (if feasible).
Postoperative pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
次要结局
- Anxiety Score(Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the intervention, 2 hours after the intervention, and 6 hours after the intervention (if feasible).)
- Time to First Rescue Analgesia(Up to 6 hours after the intervention.)
- Total Analgesic Consumption(Up to 6 hours after the intervention.)
- Adverse Events(Throughout the intervention and postoperative observation period (up to 6 hours after the intervention).)
研究者
Zaid Ali Jebur
Master's Student
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences