Patients undergoing arterio-venous fistula commonly experience pain and anxiety due to their pre-operative circumstances and the fact that they remain conscious throughout the surgery. It is well documented that perioperative pain and anxiety can cause detrimental effects on patient outcomes and satisfaction. Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being investigated as an adjunctive tool in various medical and surgical specialties. Current Evidence suggests that VR can be effective in managing both acute and chronic pain, as well as reducing pain, anxiety, stress, and the need for anesthetic agents during surgery. We hypothesize that using VR during AVF surgery will lead to a reduction in anesthetic doses, decreased patient anxiety and pain, and be favorably received by both surgeons and anesthetists.
Adults aged ≥18 years scheduled for elective arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation surgery.
Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and indicated for hemodialysis access.
Able to provide informed consent and understand study procedures.
Medically stable and cleared for surgery by the anesthesia and surgical teams.
Patients with a history of seizure disorders or epilepsy triggered by visual stimuli.
Severe motion sickness, vertigo, or vestibular disorders that may be exacerbated by virtual reality.
Significant cognitive impairment or inability to understand instructions or complete questionnaires.
Facial or cranial abnormalities or injuries that prevent proper fitting of the VR headset.
Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital
Lead sponsor
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Collaborator