Effects of Virtual Reality After Liver Transplantation

NCT07572305 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 25H04
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation. Postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue may negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Virtual reality has emerged as a non-pharmacological method that may help reduce these symptoms by providing distraction and relaxation. A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality session, while the control group received standard care. Pain, fatigue and vital signs were measured before and after the intervention. This study aims to determine whether virtual reality can improve patient comfort and physiological stability and support recovery after liver transplantation.

Conditions

Liver Transplantation; Postoperative Pain; Fatigue

Keywords

Liver transplantation; Virtual reality; Postoperative fatigue; Postoperative pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in fatigue severity

  Change in fatigue severity measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) total score (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater fatigue)

  Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in pain intensity

  Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention

• Change in heart rate (beats per minute)

  Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention

• Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)

  Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention

• Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)

  Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 20 minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation. The intervention was administered using a head mounted display and aimed to reduce fatigue and improve physiological parameters

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Intervention

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention

Other: Standard Care

Interventions

Virtual Reality Intervention BEHAVIORAL

A 20 minute immersive virtual reality session was administered using a headmounted display during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation.

Experimental Group

Standard Care OTHER

Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age ≥18 years
• Underwent liver transplantation
• In the early postoperative period
• Able to communicate verbally
• No diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Hemodynamically stable
• Pain score ≥4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
• Willing to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of severe postoperative complications
• Cognitive impairment or inability to understand instructions
• Visual or hearing impairments preventing use of virtual reality
• History of motion sickness or vertigo related to virtual reality use
• Chronic diseases that may affect fatigue or vital signs (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory diseases)
• Refusal to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Malatya Turgut Ozal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute

Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative; Fatigue

Interventions

Standard of Care

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Participants and care providers were not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 20-minute virtual reality intervention or a control group receiving standard care. Outcomes were measured before and 15 minutes after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2026
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2026
• Study Completion: January 31, 2026
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)