Virtual Reality Experiences for Anxiety and Pain Control

Impact of Different Virtual Reality Experiences on Anxiety and Pain

This trial studies the impact of virtual reality experiences on anxiety before surgery and pain after surgery. The goal of this study is to examine how different virtual reality experiences may help reduce anxiety and improve pain control, which may help reduce the need for medications such as opioids.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To measure the impact of a gaming virtual reality (VR) experience compared to a mindfulness VR experience on preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients participate in a VR intervention (Angry Birds) over 15 minutes before standard of care surgery and then participate in a VR intervention (TRIPP) over 15 minutes after surgery.

ARM II: Patients participate in a VR intervention (TRIPP) over 15 minutes before standard of care surgery and then participate in a VR intervention (Angry Birds) over 15 minutes after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults (18 years or older and younger than 89)
• Able to consent
• English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking patients because the VR content is only available in English
• Have symptoms concerning for an active respiratory infection or are on contact or isolation precautions
• Any active eye discharge
• A history of seizure, epilepsy, or hypersensitivity to flashing light
• Have a history of motion sickness or vertigo
• Have active nausea or vomiting
• Psychiatric conditions that may interfere with the ability to successfully participate in the study
• Have cardiac pacemakers
• Require hearing aids at all times that cannot be removed
• Have defibrillators
• Have wound dressings on the head or neck that prevent comfortable use of the VR headset