Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy for Elderly Female Patients Undergoing Rehabilitation After Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis often leads to total hip arthroplasty (THA), and effective postoperative rehabilitation is critical to recovery. This study tested whether adding virtual reality (VR) to standard inpatient rehabilitation improves psychological well-being and functional performance in women after THA. MATERIAL AND METHODS This pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 24 female patients aged 60 and older. Participants were randomized into two groups: a control group receiving 4-week standard rehabilitation and an experimental group receiving standard rehabilitation plus VR therapy. Psychological and functional statuses were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), and various functional tests before and after the intervention. RESULTS The experimental group showed significant improvements in psychological outcomes, with a 53% reduction in overall HADS scores and a 43% reduction in PSQ scores. Functional improvements were also observed, with significant increases in Tinetti Test, Barthel Index, and Rivermead Motor Assessment scores. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in psychological parameters and less pronounced functional improvements. CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive VR during post-THA rehabilitation improved psychological well-being and functional performance in women aged 65 years and older compared with usual care, and improvements in these domains were positively correlated. These preliminary results support VR as a promising adjunct to target both psychological and functional recovery, but confirmation in larger, multicenter trials with longer follow-up and economic evaluation is required.