Riassunto dello studio

Seventy-four patients with osteoarthritis who had undergone total hip or knee arthroplasty surgeries were randomized to receive either immersive virtual reality therapy (n=34) or conventional post-surgical rehabilitation alone (n=34). The primary outcome of interest was the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and stress levels using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Secondary outcomes included measures of self-efficacy (Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, GSES), functional abilities, mobility, and pain (using the Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). Outcomes were assessed before and after a four-week treatment period. Overall, the results of the study revealed statistically significant improvements in psychological well-being and functional outcomes among patients who received virtual reality therapy compared to those who underwent conventional rehabilitation. These results represent a particularly compelling argument to incorporate virtual reality therapy in elderly patients’ recovery from arthroplasty surgery.