Virtual reality for copd exacerbation: A randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of virtual reality on symptoms, activities of daily living, functional capacity, anxiety and depression levels in COPD exacerbations. Fifty patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. In addition to pulmonary rehabilitation, cycling exercise on a bedside bicycle ergometer was performed with virtual reality simulation in the study group (SG) (n=25). The same treatment program was applied without virtual reality to the control group (CG) (n=25). The treatment sessions continued until discharge. All patients were evaluated with the 1 min Sit and Stand test, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, CAT scale, Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and London Chest Activities of Daily Living Scale (LCADL) before and after the treatment. The cycling exercise times and the number of sessions were recorded. While the results of the 1 min Sit and stand test increased after the treatment in both groups, the increase in SG was significantly higher (p=0.037). The mMRC score and CAT score decreased in both groups after treatment, the decrease in SG was higher (p=0.062, p=0.003; respectively). The two sub-parameters and total score of HADS decreased in both groups compared to the pre-treatment period, the decrease in Anxiety was similar between the groups (p=0.117), but the decrease in SG was higher in depression and total score (p<0.05). London Chest Activities of Daily Living Scale sub-parameters excluding household activities and total score decreased in both groups after treatment (p<0.05). Leisure sub-parameter was similar between the two groups in the post-treatment period (p>0.05), improvement in other sub-parameters and total score was higher in SG (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the number of treatment sessions between the two groups (p=0.526). The cycling duration of the SG was longer (p=0.007). The results of our study showed that virtual reality during PR increased functional capacity, reduced anxiety, depression, dyspnea and other symptoms, contributed to more improvement in daily living activities during COPD exacerbation, and supported that virtual reality could be used safely.