Determining the effect of virtual reality application on pain and anxiety during endoscopy: A randomized controlled study

Virtual reality has emerged as a potential tool in reducing pain and anxiety during invasive medical procedures. Endoscopy, being an invasive procedure, often involves factors such as pain and anxiety. With advanced technology, virtual reality applications can target individuals' cognitive and attention processes to mitigate these negative sensations. Virtual reality scenes, experienced through VR goggles, create a multidimensional experience, pulling individuals away from the current medical procedure, accompanied by background music. Such non-pharmacological interventions can be considered in nursing practices for pain and anxiety management. This research was conducted as a randomized controlled study at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Endoscopy Unit to determine the impact of virtual reality application on pain and anxiety levels during endoscopy procedures. The study population consisted of patients who applied to the endoscopy unit of the relevant institution between June 22, 2022, and December 30, 2022, with a sample of 50 interventions and 50 control groups. Data in the study were collected using a Patient Information and Clinical Characteristics form, Visual Analog Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical package. The findings were interpreted at a significance level of 0.05. As a result of the research, it was determined that the average age of patients ranging from 18 to 65 was 42.90±12.65 years, and there was no difference in demographic characteristics between the intervention and control groups (p>0.05), indicating homogeneity. Virtual reality did not statistically significant difference in the average pain scores during and after the endoscopy procedure (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found in the average state anxiety scores after endoscopy between the intervention and control groups (p=0.001). Virtual reality application during endoscopy is effective on anxiety. KeyWords: Anxiety, Endoscopy, Pain, Virtual reality