Liver TransplantationVR-LTNCT07572305
Effects of Virtual Reality After Liver Transplantation
A study testing Virtual Reality Intervention in people with Liver Transplantation and Postoperative Pain, run by Malatya Turgut Ozal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation. Postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue may negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Liver Transplantation, Postoperative Pain, Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality Intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2025to 31 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥18 years
- Underwent liver transplantation
- In the early postoperative period
- Able to communicate verbally
- No diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Hemodynamically stable
- Pain score ≥4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
- Willing to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Presence of severe postoperative complications
- Cognitive impairment or inability to understand instructions
- Visual or hearing impairments preventing use of virtual reality
- History of motion sickness or vertigo related to virtual reality use
- Chronic diseases that may affect fatigue or vital signs (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory diseases)
- Refusal to participate
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute
Malatya
About this study
Official title: Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Fatigue and Vital Signs After Liver Transplantation A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation. Postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue may negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Virtual reality has emerged as a non-pharmacological method that may help reduce these symptoms by providing distraction and relaxation.
A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality session, while the control group received standard care. Pain, fatigue and vital signs were measured before and after the intervention.
This study aims to determine whether virtual reality can improve patient comfort and physiological stability and support recovery after liver transplantation.
Read the detailed description
This study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind trial to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue, and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure; however, patients frequently experience postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue, which may negatively affect recovery, physiological stability, and overall patient comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions have gained increasing attention in recent years as supportive approaches to improve postoperative outcomes. Virtual reality is an emerging technology that provides immersive distraction and relaxation, potentially reducing symptom perception and enhancing patient well-being.
The study was conducted in the organ transplantation clinic of a university hospital between May 2025 and January 2026. A total of 84 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=42) or the control group (n=42) using a computer-based randomization method.
Patients in the experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period, while patients in the control group received standard care without additional intervention. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), fatigue levels were measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded. All measurements were obtained before the intervention and 15 minutes after the intervention.
The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of virtual reality on fatigue levels. Secondary outcomes included pain and vital signs. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
This study aims to contribute to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological nursing intervention and to support its integration into clinical practice to improve postoperative care in liver transplantation patients.
- Conditions
- Liver Transplantation, Postoperative Pain, Fatigue
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality Intervention, Standard Care
- Keywords
- Liver transplantation, Virtual reality, Postoperative fatigue, Postoperative pain
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Postoperative, Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality InterventionBehavioural
A 20 minute immersive virtual reality session was administered using a headmounted display during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation.
Standard CareOther
Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Participants received a 20 minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation. The intervention was administered using a head mounted display and aimed to reduce fatigue and improve physiological parameters Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Intervention |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention Receives: Other: Standard Care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in fatigue severity
Change in fatigue severity measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) total score (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater fatigue)
Measured: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in pain intensity
Measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater pain)
Measured: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in heart rate (beats per minute)
Change in heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm). Heart rate was recorded as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the physiological response to the virtual reality intervention. Lower values may indicate improved relaxation and autonomic stability.
Measured: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure was recorded as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the cardiovascular response to the virtual reality intervention. Lower values may indicate improved physiological stability and relaxation.
Measured: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure was assessed as part of routine vital sign monitoring to evaluate the cardiovascular response to the intervention. Lower values may indicate improved physiological stability.
Measured: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 May 2026
- Study start1 May 2025
- Primary completion31 Jan 2026
- Study completion31 Jan 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Liver TransplantationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 20-minute virtual reality intervention or a control group receiving standard care. Outcomes were measured before and 15 minutes after the intervention.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Malatya Turgut Ozal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Bilsev DEMIR, Malatya Turgut Ozal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07572305
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25H04
- Other IDs
- 25H04
- Acronym
- VR-LT
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 7 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Fatigue and Vital Signs After Liver Transplantation A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07572305
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR-LT / 25H04
- Conditions
- Liver Transplantation, Postoperative Pain, Fatigue
- Keywords
- Liver transplantation, Virtual reality, Postoperative fatigue, Postoperative pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Malatya Turgut Ozal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation. Postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue may negatively affect recovery and patient comfort. Virtual reality has emerged as a non-pharmacological method that may help reduce these symptoms by providing distraction and relaxation.
A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality session, while the control group received standard care. Pain, fatigue and vital signs were measured before and after the intervention.
This study aims to determine whether virtual reality can improve patient comfort and physiological stability and support recovery after liver transplantation.
Detailed description
This study was designed as a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind trial to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on pain, fatigue, and vital signs in patients during the early postoperative period after liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure; however, patients frequently experience postoperative symptoms such as pain and fatigue, which may negatively affect recovery, physiological stability, and overall patient comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions have gained increasing attention in recent years as supportive approaches to improve postoperative outcomes. Virtual reality is an emerging technology that provides immersive distraction and relaxation, potentially reducing symptom perception and enhancing patient well-being.
The study was conducted in the organ transplantation clinic of a university hospital between May 2025 and January 2026. A total of 84 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=42) or the control group (n=42) using a computer-based randomization method.
Patients in the experimental group received a 20-minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period, while patients in the control group received standard care without additional intervention. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), fatigue levels were measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded. All measurements were obtained before the intervention and 15 minutes after the intervention.
The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of virtual reality on fatigue levels. Secondary outcomes included pain and vital signs. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
This study aims to contribute to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological nursing intervention and to support its integration into clinical practice to improve postoperative care in liver transplantation patients.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving a 20-minute virtual reality intervention or a control group receiving standard care. Outcomes were measured before and 15 minutes after the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Virtual Reality InterventionParticipants received a 20 minute virtual reality intervention during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation. The intervention was administered using a head mounted display and aimed to reduce fatigue and improve physiological parameters |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Standard CareParticipants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Age ≥18 years
- Underwent liver transplantation
- In the early postoperative period
- Able to communicate verbally
- No diagnosed psychiatric disorder
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of severe postoperative complications
- Cognitive impairment or inability to understand instructions
- Visual or hearing impairments preventing use of virtual reality
- History of motion sickness or vertigo related to virtual reality use
- Chronic diseases that may affect fatigue or vital signs (e.g., uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory diseases)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality InterventionA 20 minute immersive virtual reality session was administered using a headmounted display during the early postoperative period following liver transplantation. | Behavioural | Experimental Group |
| Standard CareParticipants received routine postoperative care without any additional intervention | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Change in fatigue severity
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in fatigue severity measured using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) total score (range: 0-10; higher scores indicate greater fatigue)
4 secondary outcomes
Change in pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in heart rate (beats per minute)
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Virtual Reality Intervention in people with Liver Transplantation and Postoperative Pain, run by Malatya Turgut Ozal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in fatigue severity (time frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 May 2026.