Background: Surgery and anesthesia are associated with increased patient anxiety. Perioperative anxiety is a common problem in regional anesthesia procedures and has an extensive impact. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a potential non-pharmacological distraction method to reduce anxiety. Immersive virtual reality creates a virtual environment that allows patients to interact and immerse in the virtual world, reducing patient anxiety. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of IVR on the anxiety of patients undergoing regional anesthetic surgery. Methods: A total of 30 participants referred to Dr. Kariadi General Hospital (Indonesia) from October 2021 to December 2021 were enrolled in this randomized, single-blind clinical trial. The patients were divided into virtual reality (VR) and control groups (n = 15 in each group). The control group received midazolam (0.02 mg/kg) as premedication. The VR group received an IVR intervention without premedication. The data of anxiety scores were assessed using the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory 6 (STAI-6). This study also collected vital signs, side effects, and patient and surgeon satisfaction level data. Results: The average anxiety level during surgery in the operating room decreased in both groups (P < 0.05); the VR group had a lower score (P = 0.04). The anxiety level was significantly reduced before and during surgery in the VR group than in the control group. The patient satisfaction level was also significantly higher in the VR group than in the control group (P = 0.024). Both groups had no significant difference in monitored vital signs, side effects, and surgeon satisfaction. Conclusions: The IVR intervention could reduce anxiety in patients undergoing surgery under regional anesthesia and improve patient satisfaction.

Introduction On-pump, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cause of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after cardiac surgery. Previous studies showed that the incidence of POCD after cardiac surgery was 60%, higher than non-cardiac surgery with 11.7%. Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) is one of the sensitive biomarkers of brain damage. Previous studies have found that elevated GFAP serum is associated with cognitive impairment. This study aims to measure the difference in GFAP levels in POCD and non-POCD patients after CABG on-pump surgery. Methods This study is a retrospective cohort design study. The data were obtained from 56 subjects undergoing elective CABG on the pump surgery enrolled into two groups consisting of 28 POCD as a case group and 28 non-POCD as a control group. In this study, the ELISA method measured the levels of GFAP biomarkers within 24 hours after surgery. After 72 hours, the patient received a MoCA-INA examination to determine cognitive impairment. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS 23.00 software. Results The mean age of patients in both groups was 60 years and was dominated by males (>85%). POCD patients were found to have a significantly longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamp surgery than non-POCD patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004). Postoperative GFAP levels in POCD patients were significantly higher than in non-POCD patients (12.95 ± 7.47 vs 3.80 ± 2.77, p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in GFAP levels compared with non-POCD (8.28 ± 7.24 vs −1.5 ± 3.03, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) value of GFAP against POCD was 0.887, cut-off GFAP 4.750 with a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 71.4%. Conclusion POCD patients had higher GFAP levels than non-POCD patients. There are differences in GFAP levels in patients with POCD and non-POCD post-CABG surgery.