Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is an invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat pathologies in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Since it is an invasive procedure, it can cause anxiety in patients before and pain during the procedure. Virtual reality glasses are an effective method used to reduce the pain and anxiety levels of patients during painful procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality glasses on pain, anxiety, and comfort in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy without sedation.
This single-center randomized controlled parallel group study was conducted with 60 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Endoscopy Unit of a training and research hospital in Istanbul. Patients in the virtual reality glasses group (n=30) watched videos of their preferred relaxing nature settings or videos without any violent content during the procedure. Patients in the control group (n=30) received no intervention. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (for pain and comfort) and State Anxiety Inventory. Pain, comfort and anxiety levels of patients were assessed five minutes before and five minutes after the procedure.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Virtual reality is a method that can be used to distract and prepare patients for medical procedures. Virtual reality is a computer-generated environment where three-dimensional interaction is possible. It is an advanced technology that allows an individual to move into a virtual environment and focus their attention on other thoughts, allowing them to pay less attention to pain and anxiety. In this study, the virtual reality glasses were put on for the intervention group five minutes before the procedure began and were kept on until the procedure was completed. The virtual reality glasses showed the patient-selected images of a relaxing nature setting or images without any violent content.
Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change on pain intensity as measured by Visual Analog Scale
The average score change on pain intensity as measured by Visual Analog Scale. This scale is an unidimensional measure commonly used to measure pain intensity. The scale is a measuring tool with length of 0-10 cm. High scores on the scale indicate that pain intensity is high.
Time frame: five minutes before endoscopy and five minutes after endoscopy
Change on anxiety level as measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
The average score change on anxiety level as measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. This scale in used to measure anxiety. The scores on the scale ranges from 20 to 80. The high scores on the scale indicate that anxiety is high.
Time frame: five minutes before endoscopy and five minutes after endoscopy
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