Examining the effect of virtual reality application on pain and anxiety in the care of chronic wounds on the leg

Abstract

Background

In recent years, virtual reality applications have begun to be used in many areas of the healthcare (education, treatment, etc.). It has been observed that it reduces pain and anxiety by distracting individuals during painful procedures.

Material and methods

The study was conducted in a wound care clinic between September 2022 and 2024 with a randomized controlled experimental design. 71 patients with chronic wounds on their legs who came to the clinic for care were randomly divided into two groups. While virtual reality glasses were applied to the patients in the experimental group during wound care, patients in the control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety levels of both groups were evaluated before and after dressing. The symptoms of patients using virtual reality glasses were examined.

Results

The data of 71 patients who had chronic wounds on their legs and came to the clinic for dressing were analyzed. The majority of the patients were male patients with an average age in their sixties. Most of the patients had diabetes for a long time (intervention group 19,85 ± 12,31, control group 18,96 ± 12,38) and their wounds were diabetic feet. There was no statistically significant difference in pain (Z = −,857∗∗∗; p = ,391) and anxiety levels (t = 1,94; p = ,057) between the groups before and after the procedure.

Conclussion

It was determined that the use of virtual reality application during dressing of patients with chronic wounds on their legs did not have a significant effect on pain and anxiety. However, no serious symptoms were observed in the patients regarding the use of virtual reality glasses.