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Virtual reality may replace some sedatives during knee surgery

NCT ID NCT04748549

Symptom relief Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jul 08, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether using virtual reality (VR) during total knee replacement surgery can help older patients need less sedation while staying satisfied with their care. Participants aged 60 and older will be randomly assigned to VR relaxation, music, or a sham VR experience during surgery. The goal is to see if VR can reduce the amount of propofol (a sedative) needed, potentially making the procedure safer and more comfortable.

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 Immersive Relaxation
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to reduce sedation during surgery, potentially lowering risks and improving recovery for older patients.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial, so results may not apply to all patients. VR may not reduce sedative use or could cause discomfort in some individuals.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

86 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Apr 2022

Finished

Jun 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

60 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients age 60 or older undergoing primary total knee replacement surgery at BIDMC and receiving spinal/regional anesthesia * English or Spanish speaking patients Exclusion Criteria: * Complex or revision surgeries * Patients scheduled for "same day" TKA * Open wounds or active infection of the face or eye area * History of seizures or other symptom linked to an epileptic condition * Patients who plan to wear hearing aids during the procedure * Patients with a pacemaker or other implanted medical device * Droplet or airborne precautions (as determined by local infection control policy) * Non-English speaking or Non-Spanish speaking * Moderate to severe dementia Drop-Out Criteria: * MoCA \<10 (this test will be administered on Day of Enrollment)

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Total knee arthroplasty

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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