The effect of virtual reality application on pain, anxiety and vital signs before the total knee arthroplasty surgery

Aim: It was aimed to determine the effect of virtual reality application on pain, anxiety and vital signs before Total Knee Arthroplasty surgery. Material and Method: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled manner. The population of this study of patients who will undergo Total Knee Arthroplasty surgery in Malatya Training and Research Hospital (MEAH) Orthopedics and Traumatology Service. The sample was determined as 102 patients as a result of power analysis. The study consisted of 130 patients, 65 of which were in the experimental group and 65 of which in the control group. Data were collected between June 2020 and August 2021 using the Patient Description Form, Numerical Pain Scale, Physiological Parameter Follow-up Form, and State Anxiety Scale. The patients in the experimental group were shown a pre-prepared video lasting 20 minutes through virtual reality glasses. Kolmogorov Smimov, two paired samples t testi, t test and Anova, mixed anaova tests were used to evaluate the data. Results: The anxiety and pain levels decreased of the experimental group in which virtual reality was applied, and the differences between the groups were found to be significant (p<0.05). The changes in pulse, respiration, systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the virtual reality applied experimental group were found to be statistically significant compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that virtual reality application before the Total Knee Arthroplasty surgery reduces the pain and anxiety and has a positive effect on vital signs. Keywords: Total Knee Replacement, Pain, Anxiety, Virtual Reality, Nursing