The effects of virtual reality on pain, anxiety, and comfort during the chest tube removal procedure: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to determine the effects of virtual reality on pain, anxiety, and comfort during chest tube removal.

Materials and methods

The research was conducted in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Atatürk University Health Practice and Research Hospital between January 2023 and April 2024. The study was performed as a randomized controlled experimental trial with a pretest-posttest control group. Eighty-two patients (41 in the intervention group and 41 in the control group) were included in the research. Patients in the intervention group watched a video with virtual reality glasses during chest tube removal. The “Descriptive Information Form,” “Visual Analog Scale,” “Verbal Pain Scale,” “State Anxiety Inventory,” and “Comfort Scale” were used to collect data. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, paired sample t-test, independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, and linear regression analysis were used in data evaluation. Our study was recorded in the Clinical Trials database with protocol number “NCT06550323.”

Results

The groups had similar descriptive characteristics (p > 0.05). The pre-procedural mean pain, anxiety, and comfort scores were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The post-procedural mean VAS and verbal pain scores, mean anxiety, and comfort scores of the intervention group were lower in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The research findings showed that virtual reality significantly reduced pain and anxiety while increasing comfort levels during chest tube removal. Therefore, it is recommended that virtual reality be used during chest tube removal.