Immersive VR: Lower Limb and Knee Rehab in Young People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immersive Virtual Reality: Lower Limb and Knee Rehabilitation in Young People
IRAS ID
291012
Contact name
Ivan Phelan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
AA14737018, SHU Ref (MRC CiC Round 7)
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients who have undergone lower limb or knee surgery are often required to participate in rehabilitative exercises to regain or maximise movement and function in the affected leg. Physiotherapy interventions for rehabilitation can be painful, uncomfortable, and tedious, reducing compliance and limiting the movement and function achieved by the patient.
Clinical studies have reported improvements in pain, compliance and outcomes by incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) into care. Evidence suggests that more Immersive VR (IVR) is effective in rehabilitation, while being cost-effective, with few adverse side-effects. Previous research by this team with adult burn patients and paediatric upper limb rehabilitation patients indicate that IVR could help reduce pain, increase compliance and improve care experiences and outcomes.
The current study will investigate the feasibility and impact of bespoke IVR game scenarios, as an intervention during physiotherapy rehabilitation, with young patients (aged 11-16) who have undergone lower limb or knee surgery.
Preliminary work, involving physiotherapy observation, and consultations with clinicians and a young man who had lower limb surgery and received physiotherapy, has informed the research design and refined the IVR scenarios. Feedback from target age group children regarding enjoyability and usability will also be incorporated into any final amendments of the scenarios.
Patients will use the IVR during each physiotherapy session after surgery until their discharge from hospital, which is expected to comprise one 10 minute session per day for 3-5 days. During each session, child participants will rate their anxiety, perceived pain and feedback any feelings about the experience. Physiotherapists will record the range of movement and strength using standardised measures to check for improvements.
Qualitative feedback will be gathered through interviews with children, their parents, and practitioners, focusing on experiences, satisfaction, effectiveness, acceptability, and practicality of the IVR intervention. Further feedback on IVR usability will be obtained from practitioners.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0121
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion