The effect of virtual reality glasses on vital findings and state anxiety level in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for the first time

This study was conducted as an experimental study with a non-randomized control group in order to determine the effects of virtual reality glasses on vital findings and state anxiety level in cancer patients receiving first chemotherapy. The universe of the study was constituted by adult patients that introduce first to a hospital in Ankara admitted to receive chemotherapy cure once of I-II-III stages. The sample of the study was formed into the groups by taking into account the characteristics such as age, gender and marital status with 30 patients in each group using with stratified sampling method.divided into two groups. In collecting data; "The Patient Information Form", "Scale of Spielberger State Anxiety", "Patient Opinion Form", "Vital Findings" and "Virtual Reality Glasses" were used. Before the chemotherapy infusion started both groups' vital findings were measured and State Anxiety Scale was applied. After the chemotherapy infusion started in the intervention group, it was provided to watch the relaxing 3D videos that they chose. Vital finding measurements and state anxiety scale were repeated to both groups at the end of the chemotherapy. Voice recordings were taken from randomly selected six patients who gave consent for the recording. Pulse, respiration and systolic blood pressure values measured after chemotherapy in the intervention group were statistically significantly lower and saturation values higher than those in the control group. The post-chemotherapy state anxiety scale score measurements were average 30.60 ± 8.20 for the intervention group, it was 39.70 ± 8.82 for the control group. This difference was found to be statistically significantly higher (p <0.05). Selected six patients stated that they found the application useful and wanted to experience it in other cures. It was determined that using virtual reality glasses had a positive effect on the anxiety levels and vital signs of the patients.