The use of the virtual reality as intervention tool in the postoperative of cardiac surgery.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac surgery has been the intervention of choice in many cases of cardiovascular diseases. Susceptibility to postoperative complications, cardiac rehabilitation is indicated. Therapeutic resources, such as virtual reality has been helping the rehabilitational process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of virtual reality in the functional rehabilitation of patients in the postoperative period.


METHODS
Patients were randomized into two groups, Virtual Reality (VRG, n = 30) and Control (CG, n = 30). The response to treatment was assessed through the functional independence measure (FIM), by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Evaluations were performed preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
On the first day after surgery, patients in both groups showed decreased functional performance. However, the VRG showed lower reduction (45.712.3) when compared to CG (35.0612.09, P<0.05) in first postoperative day, and no significant difference in performance on discharge day (P>0.05). In evaluating the NHP field, we observed a significant decrease in pain score at third assessment (P<0.05). These patients also had a higher energy level in the first evaluation (P<0.05). There were no differences with statistical significance for emotional reactions, physical ability, and social interaction. The length of stay was significantly shorter in patients of VRG (9.410.5 days vs. 12.2 1 0.9 days, P<0.05), which also had a higher 6MWD (319.9119.3 meters vs. 263.5115.4 meters, P<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive treatment with virtual reality demonstrated benefits, with better functional performance in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil . lucas.cacau@yahoo.com.br
Lucas de Assis Pereira
Lde A
Cacau
Géssica Uruga
GU
Oliveira
Luana Godinho
LG
Maynard
Amaro Afrânio de
AA
Araújo Filho
Walderi Monteiro da
WM
Silva
Manoel Luiz
ML
Cerqueria Neto
Angelo Roberto
AR
Antoniolli
Valter J
VJ
Santana-Filho
D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome