{"id":1683,"date":"2021-12-01T10:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T09:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forskning.eu\/projects\/vr-virtual-reality-for-local-anesthetic-surgery\/"},"modified":"2024-11-11T14:49:04","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T13:49:04","slug":"vr-virtual-reality-for-local-anesthetic-surgery","status":"publish","type":"projects","link":"https:\/\/forskning.eu\/en\/projects\/vr-virtual-reality-for-local-anesthetic-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"VR – Virtual Reality for local anesthetic surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tVR – Virtual Reality for local anesthetic surgery\n\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe project explores the possibilities for an innovative and harmless alternative to medication, using Virtual Reality as a distraction during local anesthetic surgery.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDitte Luise Hartvig\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFaglig leder for projektledelse, ph.d.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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Every year, more than 11,000 knee surgeries are performed in Denmark, and up to 17,000 in Sweden. To minimize the risks associated with general anesthesia, most patients are offered spinal anesthesia, which numbs only the lower body. This allows the patient to remain awake during the procedure. However, being conscious during surgery and losing control of one’s body can be uncomfortable for many. Additionally, knee replacement surgery is a physically intense procedure. While the surgery is obscured by a screen, patients can hear the sounds of surgical instruments cutting and tapping the bones, and even though they are anesthetized, they may feel vibrations throughout their body. Blood and bone fragments may also be splattered during the operation.
Being awake during surgery can be anxiety-inducing, prompting many patients to require relaxation or sedative medication. However, these medications can lead to side effects, including breathing difficulties and low blood pressure. These risks are never insignificant, and in the worst cases, they can result in life-threatening complications. This is especially concerning for elderly patients, who often suffer from other health issues, as sedatives can be challenging to regulate and thus pose additional risks.
The need for supplementary relaxation or sleep-inducing medication in patients undergoing surgery under spinal anesthesia can create further complications. These medications may cause interruptions during surgery, require additional interventions, and ultimately lead to longer recovery times and increased resource use. This project aims to eliminate these unnecessary risks by developing a Virtual Reality (VR) solution that can effectively distract patients without the risk of side effects.<\/p>\n

New technology will improve the patient experience<\/h3>\n

Virtual Reality (VR) is a cutting-edge technology that can immerse users in a completely different environment through sight and sound. The brain has a limited capacity to process stimuli, meaning it can be easily distracted. By engaging the brain with VR, patients can be diverted from the discomfort of their current situation. This form of distraction is a harmless alternative to sedative medication, and research suggests it can be highly effective. VR content can range from nature scenes and cultural experiences to mindfulness exercises, interactive games, or relaxing music with accompanying visuals.
VR can be used both to help patients relax before surgery and to provide distraction, calm, and reassurance during the procedure. Senior citizens, particularly those requiring knee replacements due to osteoarthritis, are the primary target group for this project. If successful, this initiative could be expanded to benefit all types of patients across the EAC region who need partial anesthesia during surgery, seek distraction from pain, or require reassurance before a procedure.
This project will bring together researchers, companies, and hospitals in Denmark and Sweden to develop a collaborative health technology solution to address a shared challenge. <\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\tWorking in the project<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDitte Luise Hartvig<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProject management<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCarina Elkott<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunication<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIda Munch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVisual communication<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSupport program\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tInterreg \u00d6resund-Kattegat-Skagerrak<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProject duration\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t01.12.2021 – 30.09.2022<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProject budget\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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Projektpartnere<\/h3>\n