The effect of virtual reality and music on vital signs, pain and comfort after laparoscopic abdominal surgery

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the effects of virtual reality and music on patients' vital signs, pain, and comfort after laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Material and Method: The universe of the study conducted as a prospective randomized controlled single blind clinical research model; Adult patients who were admitted to the General Surgery, Obstetrics, Urology, Cardiovascular Surgery clinics of Bitlis Tatvan State Hospital and underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery were formed. The research was conducted between September 2019 - January 2021. The sample of the study consisted of 225 patients selected by simple random sampling method among the patients meeting the research criteria (75 people virtual reality, 75 people music, 75 people control group). In data collection; Patient Information Form, Numerical Rating Scale, Vital Signs Follow-up Form and General Comfort Scale were used. The data were collected by the researcher using face-to-face interviews between October 2019 and June 2020. Virtual reality video watching and music listening practices were implemented for 20 minutes. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Friedman test, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey Post-Hoc and Dunn Post-Hoc tests. Results: Both the pain level and the comfort level of the virtual reality and music group decreased after the intervention compared to the control group, and the difference between the groups was found to be significant (p <0.05). The results of repetitive measurements after the intervention were higher than before the intervention in all of the pulse, systolic-diastolic blood pressure, respiration, body temperature and saturation values of the virtual reality and music group compared to the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: After laparoscopic abdominal surgery, it was observed that music and virtual reality practices decreased pain and comfort, and positively affected vital signs.