Virtual Reality and Smell Therapy for Surgery-Related Pain
Virtual Reality and Olfactory Stimuli Multimodal Intervention to Reduce Post-Operative Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Cardiothoracic Surgery
Recruiting
N/AInterventional Study
Postoperative PainAnxiety PostoperativeOpioid Use
No Placebo Group
Every participant receives an active treatment — no one gets a placebo.
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Review the details below, then apply to join this clinical trial.
At a Glance
Age
18 and older
Sex
Any
Study type
Interventional
Purpose
Supportive Care
Participants needed
80 (estimated)
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital · Other
Who this trial is looking for
This trial is looking for adults having heart or lung surgery who want to try a new way to manage pain and anxiety. If you join, you may use virtual reality and scents to help with these feelings before and after surgery.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
You may be able to join if
I am scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, aortic valve repair, lung resection, or esophagectomy.
I am over 18 years old.
I do not have any cognitive or psychiatric conditions that prevent me from giving consent.
You may not be able to join if
I have clinical signs of cardiogenic shock at the time of surgery.
I have severe irreversible hypertension.
I have congenital heart disease.
I have chronic renal insufficiency or am on renal replacement therapy.
I have evidence of cirrhosis or liver failure.
I have allergies to smells or have lost my sense of smell.
Summarized in plain language from this trial's official eligibility criteria.
The full criteria are further down this page — only the research team can
confirm whether you qualify.
Think this trial could be right for you?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you may meet the eligibility requirements.
Patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery often experience pain and anxiety around the time of surgery. Currently, treatments for pain and anxiety around the time of surgery include opioids and benzodiazepines, which can have severe side effects and can be ineffective. Interventions combining virtual reality with olfactory stimuli are a promising alternative to opioids and benzodiazepines in the…
Patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery often experience pain and anxiety around the time of surgery. Currently, treatments for pain and anxiety around the time of surgery include opioids and benzodiazepines, which can have severe side effects and can be ineffective. Interventions combining virtual reality with olfactory stimuli are a promising alternative to opioids and benzodiazepines in the treatment of pain and anxiety around the time of surgery.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a virtual reality and olfactory stimuli multimodal intervention in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, the investigators will evaluate the preliminary effects of the VR/OS intervention on patient pain and anxiety before and after cardiothoracic surgery. Patients who meet study inclusion criteria and are undergoing cardiothoracic surgery may participate in this study. Patients have an equal being assigned to undergo the virtual reality and olfactory stimuli intervention or continue getting usual medical care with their doctor. If the patient is assigned to receive the virtual reality and olfactory stimuli intervention, the first therapy session will take place approximately two to four weeks before surgery. This will involve wearing a virtual reality headset and scented necklace for approximately 10 minutes. The second session will occur 90 minutes before the surgery. Additionally, for each day the patient recovers in the hospital after surgery, the patient will receive one session in the afternoon. During the patient's in-hospital recovery at night, they will receive lavender scented therapy.
Trial Locations
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Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Be scheduled to undergo any one of the 5 major types of cardiothoracic surgical operations: coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, aortic valve repair, lung resection, and esophagectomy
* Age \> 18
* No cognitive or psychiatric conditions prohibiting study …
Inclusion Criteria:
* Be scheduled to undergo any one of the 5 major types of cardiothoracic surgical operations: coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, aortic valve repair, lung resection, and esophagectomy
* Age \> 18
* No cognitive or psychiatric conditions prohibiting study consent or participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Clinical signs of cardiogenic shock at time of surgery
* Severe irreversible hypertension
* Congenital heart disease
* Chronic renal insufficiency defined by Cr ≥ 2.5 or chronic renal replacement therapy
* Evidence of cirrhosis or hepatic synthetic failure
* Patients with odor allergies or anosmia (lost their sense of smell)
Contacts
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