The effect of virtual reality goggles used during echocardiography procedure on anxiety in children

This research was conducted as a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of a cartoon watched through virtual reality goggles on anxiety in children aged 3-6 undergoing an echocardiography procedure. The study population consisted of children who were examined at the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic of Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital between August 2022 and November 2022. The sample consisted of a total of 100 children, with 50 in the control group and 50 in the intervention group, who voluntarily participated in the study and met the inclusion criteria. Data collection was done using "Introductory Information Form", "Scale for Evaluating Children's Emotional Expression" suitable for the age groups of children, virtual reality goggles, and a pulse oximeter. SPSS 20 Statistical Package Program was used for data analysis. As a result, it was found that watching a cartoon through virtual reality goggles during echocardiography procedure had a positive effect on the anxiety level of children aged 3-6.