VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING AFTER THORACIC SURGERY

NCT07700550 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-76351742-050.04-572695
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of virtual reality-based exercise training after thoracic surgery. Participants undergoing lung resection surgery will be assigned to either a virtual reality exercise training group or a control group receiving standard care. Physical function, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and quality of life will be evaluated before and after the intervention. The findings may help determine whether virtual reality-assisted exercise training improves postoperative recovery in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Conditions

Thoracic Surgery; Postoperative Recovery; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Exercise Training; Virtual Reality

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Exercise Training; Thoracic Surgery; Postoperative Recovery; Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• FEV1

  Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) measured by spirometry.

  From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge

• FVC

  Forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry.

  From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

• FEF25-75

  Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity measured by spirometry.

  From baseline to 2 weeks after hospital discharge.

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Pain Intensity

  Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

• Exercise Capacity

  Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery)

• Anxiety and Depression

  Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

• Dyspnea

  Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery)

• Oxygen Saturation

  Baseline, postoperative day 2, and hospital discharge (up to 7 days after surgery).

Study Arms (2)

Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received conventional pulmonary rehabilitation and cycle ergometer training after thoracic surgery.

Other: Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Cycle Ergometer Training; Procedure: thoracic surgery

Virtual Reality Exercise Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received conventional pulmonary rehabilitation, cycle ergometer training, and virtual reality-based exercise training after thoracic surgery.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Exercise Training; Other: Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Cycle Ergometer Training; Procedure: thoracic surgery

Interventions

Virtual Reality Exercise Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants received virtual reality-based exercise training in addition to conventional pulmonary rehabilitation and cycle ergometer training after thoracic surgery.

Virtual Reality Exercise Training Group

Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Cycle Ergometer Training OTHER

Participants received conventional pulmonary rehabilitation and cycle ergometer training after thoracic surgery.

Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group; Virtual Reality Exercise Training Group

thoracic surgery PROCEDURE

Participants underwent thoracic surgery (lobectomy, segmentectomy, pneumonectomy, or wedge resection) according to the clinical indication before receiving the assigned rehabilitation intervention.

Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation Group; Virtual Reality Exercise Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 25 and 70 years Stable symptoms and no other disease affecting pulmonary function (e.g., scoliosis or ankylosing spondylitis) Good cooperation and ability to walk independently Patients who underwent thoracic surgery FEV1 \> 2 L for pneumonectomy, \> 1 L for lobectomy, and \> 0.6 L for segmentectomy Maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max) \> 15-20 mL/kg/min Cycle ergometer performance \> 83 W No severe visual impairment Approved for participation in exercise training by the operating physician Hodkinson Mental Test score \> 6 Willingness to participate and provision of informed consent -

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindications to pulmonary rehabilitation or physiotherapy, including unstable cardiovascular disease, severe pulmonary hypertension, severe uncorrectable hypoxemia, exercise-induced desaturation, rib fractures, subcutaneous emphysema, advanced osteoporosis, or thrombocytopenia Orthopedic or neurological disorders that may impair independent ambulation, exertional dyspnea, or exertional vertigo Requirement for repeat thoracic surgery due to previous thoracic surgical history Inability to establish verbal and/or auditory communication and cooperation Inability to cooperate due to psychological and/or perceptual impairments Withdrawal Criteria Development of unexpected chest pain during the study Occurrence of syncope or nausea during testing procedures Participants may withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason Study Completion / Termination Criterion Achievement of the planned sample size

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University Hospital

Denizli, 20160, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Thoracic Surgical Procedures

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Surgical Procedures, Operative

Study Officials

• Orçin T ATALAY, PhD

  Pamukkale University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof.Dr. Head of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unıt

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 26, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: October 24, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 27, 2026
• Study Completion: February 27, 2026
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)