Effect of virtual reality and ice application on self injection fear, pain and anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim: The research was carried out to investigate the effect of virtual reality and ice application on fear of self-injection, pain and anxiety levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Method: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental model. The universe of the research was made up of adult Type 2 diabetes patients who inject insulin and monitor their blood sugar. The sample of the study consisted of 159 patients, including 53 in the virtual reality, 53 in the ice and 53 in the control group. Participant Introduction Form, Diabetes Fear of Self Injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire, State Anxiety Scale and Visual Analogue Scale were used to collect the data. The data were collected for a total of 4 follow-ups on 2 consecutive days of the week. Before self-injection and testing, motivational videos were shown to patients in the virtual reality group, and ice was applied to patients in the ice group. Results: In the study, it was found that the fear and pain levels of patients in the virtual reality and ice groups were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.001), and the anxiety levels of the patients who were applied virtual reality were significantly lower than the ice and control groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was determined that virtual reality application was effective on fear of self-testing, anxiety and pain, and ice application on fear of self-testing and pain. It can be recommended to use non-pharmacological methods in the management of fear, anxiety and pain in patients with diabetes.