Immersive Virtual Reality Fitness Games to Improve Recovery After Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Single Blind...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health
• Surgical Recovery

Background:

• Early mobilization post-surgery is vital for recovery and reducing complications.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, activity-promoting fitness games as a low-cost motivational tool.
• VR may positively impact mood and well-being, often affected by colorectal surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a VR intervention for enhanced postoperative mobilization.
• To evaluate VR's impact on mood, well-being, and recovery after colorectal surgery.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study randomized 62 patients undergoing curative colorectal cancer surgery into a VR intervention group or a control group.
• The VR group received daily bedside VR fitness exercises alongside standard care.
• Feasibility, mood, well-being, length of stay, and surgical outcomes were measured.

Main Results:

• The VR intervention was feasible and met predefined goals.
• Patients in the VR group showed significant mood improvement (P < 0.001) and a shift towards positive feelings.
• While the VR group had a shorter median hospital stay (7.0 vs. 9.0 days), this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.076).

Conclusions:

• VR intervention is feasible and beneficial for improving mood and potentially reducing hospital stay after colorectal surgery.
• VR shows promise as an adjunct to physiotherapy for enhancing postoperative mobilization.
• Further research is warranted to explore VR's full potential in surgical recovery.