ePoster

The impact of virtual reality on postoperative cognitive impairment and pain perception after surgery

Sebastian Isac, Andrada-Georgiana Badea, Ana-Maria Zagrean, Elisabeta Nita, Diana Irene Mihai, Damiana Ojog, Pavel Bogdan, Teodora Isac, Gabriela Droc
FENS Forum 2024(2024)
Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Conference

FENS Forum 2024

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Resources

Authors & Affiliations

Sebastian Isac, Andrada-Georgiana Badea, Ana-Maria Zagrean, Elisabeta Nita, Diana Irene Mihai, Damiana Ojog, Pavel Bogdan, Teodora Isac, Gabriela Droc

Abstract

Impaired cognition and pain after surgery contribute to prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality rates. Thus, the development of preemptive algorithms for reducing their impact should be prioritized. The main objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficiency of using virtual reality (VR) to treat postoperative cognitive decline and pain perception. The study was a prospective, monocentric, clinical study that included 51 patients who have undergone major abdominal surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: Control (n = 25) and VR (n = 26). The VR sessions consisted of 5–8 min exposure at 24–48 h after surgery. We considered the outcome variables, the mini-mental state examination, and visual analogue scale at 24–48 h after surgery. The dependent variables were age, social status, educational level, and duration of surgery. We did not observe any differences in postoperative cognition deficit with regard to VR. The VR, however, successfully reduced postoperative pain intensity. Moreover, the patients’ age, surgery duration, level of education, and social status influenced the MMSE score at 24–48 h after surgery. Even if using VR does not alleviate short-term postoperative cognitive impairments, it could affect pain perception. Further studies are needed to support the use of VR in perioperative contexts.

Unique ID: fens-24/impact-virtual-reality-postoperative-0ab5fdaf