Virtual Reality Supported Mindfulness Meditation After Cardiovascular Surgery

NCT07523594 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 324S805
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The early postoperative period following cardiovascular surgery is often associated with increased anxiety, stress, and physiological instability. Mindfulness-based interventions and virtual reality applications have emerged as potential supportive approaches to improve psychological well-being and promote recovery in clinical settings. This study aims to examine the short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation on psychological and physiological outcomes in patients who have completed the intensive care phase after cardiovascular surgery and have been transferred to the ward. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental trial including 34 patients (intervention group n=17, control group n=17). In addition to standard postoperative care, the intervention group received a 15-minute virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation session, while the control group received standard care only. Psychological outcomes include state anxiety, perceived stress, and positive and negative affect. Physiological parameters include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Data were collected at multiple time points using an ecological momentary assessment approach. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the feasibility and short-term effects of virtual reality-supported mindfulness interventions in postoperative cardiovascular surgery patients.

Conditions

Cardiovascular Surgery; Postoperative Recovery; Anxiety; Stress; Mindfulness; Virtual Reality

Keywords

virtual reality; mindfulness; postoperative care; cardiovascular surgery; anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• State Anxiety

  State anxiety measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State)

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Perceived Stress

  Baseline, 1 hour, and 3 hours

• Positive and Negative Affect

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

• Heart Rate

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

• Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, 1 hour, and 3 hours

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Reality Mindfulness Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 15-minute virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation session in addition to standard postoperative care.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Supported Mindfulness Meditation

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received standard postoperative care without any additional intervention.

Interventions

Virtual Reality-Supported Mindfulness Meditation BEHAVIORAL

A 15-minute guided mindfulness body scan meditation delivered through an immersive virtual reality environment in addition to standard postoperative care. The intervention is designed to support psychological relaxation and physiological stabilization in patients following cardiovascular surgery.

Also known as: Virtual Reality Mindfulness

Virtual Reality Mindfulness Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 18 to 65 years
• Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve repair surgery
• Patients monitored in the postoperative period in the clinical ward following the intensive care unit stay
• Hemodynamically stable patients within the first 12 to 48 hours after surgery, defined as heart rate 60-100 beats/min, blood pressure 90/60-140/90 mmHg, oxygen saturation ≥92%, and respiratory rate 12-20 breaths/min
• Patients who were conscious, able to communicate verbally, and able to understand and follow instructions
• Patients without visual or hearing impairment and physically able to use the virtual reality device
• Patients without a history of psychiatric diagnosis or treatment, based on self-report
• Patients who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who underwent major vascular surgery such as aortic aneurysm repair, aortic dissection repair, carotid endarterectomy, or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair
• Patients who developed serious postoperative complications requiring emergency intervention within the first 12 to 48 hours after surgery, such as acute renal failure, pulmonary embolism, or severe bleeding
• Patients using continuously high-dose beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs due to uncontrolled hypertension or heart failure
• Patients with prior experience in mindfulness meditation
• Patients dependent on mechanical cardiac support devices or requiring continuous mechanical support such as an intra-aortic balloon pump
• Patients diagnosed with delirium or severe cognitive impairment
• Patients under isolation precautions for infection control

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Osmangazi University

Eskişehir, 26000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Melike Pehlivan, PhD

  Kutahya Health Science University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants were assigned to an intervention group and a control group without randomization. The intervention group received a 15-minute virtual reality-supported mindfulness meditation in addition to standard care, while the control group received standard postoperative care only.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: March 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: February 2, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)