The effect of virtual reality applications in diagnostic procedures performed on patients suspected of having thyroid cancer

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the effect of virtual reality applications in diagnostic procedures performed in patients with suspected thyroid cancer. Material and Metod: The study was conducted between October 15, 2024 and January 31, 2025 at Gaziantep City Hospital in Gaziantep province. The study sample consisted of 100 patients with suspected thyroid mass admitted to these hospitals. "Patient Introduction Form", "Beck Anxiety Scale", "Fear of Pain Scale" and "Visual Analog Scale" were used as data collection tools. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method. The data of the study were analyzed using SPSS 21 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) package program. Results: When comparisons between groups were analyzed, no statistically significant difference was found between the mean VAS, BACS and ACS scores of the VR group and the control group before and after the intervention (p>0.05). When compared within the groups, the mean VAS score in the virtual reality group decreased after the intervention and was found to be statistically significant (p=0.006). In the control group, the mean VAS score did not show a significant decrease between before and after the intervention and was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In terms of IAE scores, in the VR group, the mean IAE score decreased after the intervention and was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). In the control group, UAE scores decreased after the intervention and were statistically significant (p<0.001). In ACQ scores, the mean ACQ score in the VR group decreased after the intervention and was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). In the control group, it was determined that the ACQ scores decreased significantly after the intervention (p=.025). Conclusion: It is recommended to examine the pain, fear and anxiety of patients with suspected thyroid cancer during diagnostic procedures and to use non-pharmacological methods such as virtual reality applications in their management, and to conduct larger-scale studies on the subject. Keywords: Thyroid Cancer, Virtual Reality, Pain, Fear, Anxiety, Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy