Immersive Virtual Reality for Pain and Relaxation in Older Adults Following Elective Inpatient Abdominal Surgery: Single-Arm Study Examining Feasibility and Acceptability

JMIR Perioper Med. 2026 Apr 17;9:e81791. doi: 10.2196/81791.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence to suggest that immersive virtual reality (IVR) can improve pain in older adults in community settings, yet the use of IVR postoperatively in the acute postoperative period following major elective abdominal surgery remains largely underexplored.

OBJECTIVE: This single-arm pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of IVR on self-reported postoperative pain and relaxation levels in older adults following elective major abdominal surgery.

METHODS: We recruited individuals aged 55 years and older undergoing elective abdominal surgery at an academic medical center from October 2023 to February 2024. We evaluated feasibility through accrual rate, intervention completion, and questionnaire compliance; acceptability via the System Usability Scale (SUS) and a user experience survey; and tolerability by monitoring self-reported side effects. The preliminary impact of IVR on self-reported pain intensity and relaxation levels was assessed through pre- and postintervention comparisons.

RESULTS: A total of 29 participants, with a median age of 73 (IQR 55-81) years, were enrolled and completed at least 1 IVR session, with 19 also completing a second session. Perceived usability and overall acceptance of IVR were high, with minimal side effects reported. In terms of the preliminary impact of IVR, statistically significant improvements were observed in both pain and relaxation levels from pre- to post-IVR on day 1 and day 2.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the feasibility and acceptability of IVR as a potential future intervention for postoperative pain management and enhancing relaxation among older adults following elective inpatient abdominal surgery. The preliminary findings suggest the need for large-scale studies across additional complex inpatient abdominal surgeries to confirm the acceptance and efficacy of IVR as a postoperative pain management intervention across a wide range of diverse older demographics. Future research is critical to evaluating the therapeutic potential of IVR in a variety of surgical and patient-specific contexts.

PMID:41996667 | DOI:10.2196/81791