Effect of virtual reality-based relaxation exercise on postoperative pain and kinesiophobia after total knee replacement: Randomized controlled study

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of virtual reality-based progressive relaxation exercise on postoperative pain and kinesiophobia after total knee replacement surgery. The data of the randomized controlled experimental study were collected at the Aksaray Training and Research Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic between January and October 2024. The research sample consisted of 80 individuals in total, 40 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group. In the control groups, the device with continuous active movement for a total of three days, on the first, second and third days after total knee replacement surgery. In the intervention experimental groups, the device with continuous active movement for a total of three days, on the first, second and third days after total knee replacement surgery, is applied to the individuals, while virtual reality and individual progressive relaxation exercises are performed. In collecting data; Patient Introduction Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale were used. It was determined that individuals in the experimental and control groups had similar characteristics in terms of all control variables except body mass index (p>0.05). In the experimental and control groups, the VAS score of the experimental group was found to be significantly lower than the control group on all three days (p<0.001). When the Tampa scores were examined, the Tampa score of the experimental group was found to be lower than the control group on all three days, similar to the VAS score (p<0.001). It was determined that individuals had a decrease in pain and fear of movement after the intervention. As a result of the findings, it was concluded that progressive relaxation exercise performed with virtual reality glasses while applying the continuous active movement device after total knee prosthesis surgery reduced pain and kinesiophobia.