Virtual reality and sound therapy may shield your brain during heart surgery

NCT ID NCT05036538

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether relaxing before heart surgery using virtual reality nature scenes or special sound patterns (binaural beats) can reduce stress and prevent problems like confusion or memory loss after the operation. About 125 adults having planned heart surgery will be randomly assigned to one of three relaxation methods or standard care. The goal is to see if these simple, non-drug approaches can protect mental function after a major procedure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

virtual reality and binaural beats

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to lower the risk of confusion and memory problems after heart surgery.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial (125 people) testing a relaxation technique, not a proven treatment. The effect on preventing delirium may be small or not work at all.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emergence Delirium Postoperative Cognitive Complications

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Kerckhoff Heart Center, Heart and Brain Research Group

    RECRUITING

    Bad Nauheim, Hesse, 61231, Germany

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••