The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of listening to nature sounds in a virtual reality forest on pain, vital signs, comfort, and patient satisfaction during chest tube removal. This study aims to determine whether there are significant differences in pain, comfort, patient satisfaction, and vital signs between the experimental and control groups during chest tube removal. "In this study, a VR video featuring a relaxing forest environment with nature sounds will be used with a virtual reality headset. Patients will be exposed to both auditory and visual stimuli. It is anticipated that the findings of this randomized controlled experimental study will make a significant contribution to the literature and clinical
Study Type: This research will be conducted using a pretest-posttest, randomized controlled experimental design. Demographic Information Form This form, developed by the researcher, includes patient age, gender, education level, diagnosis, and information regarding the location of the chest tube placement. Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Created by Price et al. (1983), this scale ranges from 0, defined as "No pain," to 10, defined as "Unbearable pain." Patients are asked to score their pain between 0 and 10, representing the intensity of the pain they experience . Patient Satisfaction Scale A satisfaction scale was developed to assess patients' satisfaction with the chest tube removal procedure. Patients will be asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10. Vital Signs Monitoring Form This form records the patient's vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation) before and after chest tube removal. Comfort Scale A 0-10 scale, where one end represents "Most comfortable" and the other end represents "Most uncomfortable." The number marked by the patient indicates their level of comfort. The researcher will identify patients in the thoracic surgery ward who are scheduled for chest tube removal and meet the sample criteria, in order to collect data for the intervention and control groups. In the ward, 28 Fr chest tubes are generally used, but 32 Fr tubes may also be applied depending on the patient's condition. The decision to remove the chest tubes is made by the responsible physician after reviewing the patient's chest X-ray following the ward visit. Chest tube removal is performed by assistant doctors in the procedure room of the ward. The assignment of participating patients to either the control or intervention group will be determined by randomization.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
During chest tube removal, the patient will wear a VR headset and headphones to view a virtual forest environment and listen to nature sounds; pain, vital signs, comfort, and patient satisfaction will be assessed during this period.
Dr. Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Kadıköy, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGPain level during chest tube removal
Patient pain status is determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A score of 0 indicates 'no pain,' and a score of 10 indicates 'worst possible pain.' Higher scores indicate worse outcomes
Time frame: Pain levels will be measured 10 minutes before chest tube removal, immediately after removal, and 10 minutes after removal.
vital signs- Heart Rate
Heart rate is measured in beats per minute, indicating a physiological response to pain and anxiety. The normal range for adults is typically 60 to 100 bpm.
Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.
Vital signs- Respiratory Rate
Respiratory rate is measured in breaths per minute to assess the physiological response to pain and increased anxiety. The normal range for adults is typically 12 to 20 breaths/minute.
Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.
Patient Satisfaction
A satisfaction scale related to the chest tube removal procedure has been created for the patients. They will be asked to rate their satisfaction between 0 and 10. On the patient satisfaction scale, a score of 0 indicates 'Not satisfied at all,' while a score of 10 indicates 'Very satisfied'.
Time frame: The patient satisfaction scale will be administered 10 minutes after the chest tube removal.
Patient comfort level
It is a scale ranging from 0 to 10 points. One end of the scale indicates 'maximum comfort,' while the other end indicates 'maximum discomfort.' The number marked reflects the level of comfort. On the Comfort Scale, a score of 0 indicates the 'most comfortable state,' while a score of 10 indicates the 'most uncomfortable state.' Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (discomfort)
Time frame: The comfort level is asked to the patient 10 minutes after chest tube removal for both the control and VR groups
Vital Signs- Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation is measured via pulse oximetry, reflecting potential changes in respiratory function due to pain and anxiety. Normal saturation levels are generally considered 95% and above.
Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.
Vital Signs- Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)
Systolic Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), reflecting the effects of pain and stress on the cardiovascular system. Diastolic Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), reflecting the effects of pain and stress on the cardiovascular system. Normal systolic pressure is generally considered less than 120 mmHg. Normal diastolic pressure is generally considered less than 80 mmHg.
Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.
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