The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses Application During Urodynamics on Procedural Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality glasses (VRG) intervention during urodynamic testing (UT) on procedural pain (PP), anxiety levels, and hemodynamic parameters.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 84 patients undergoing UT, randomized 1:1 to VRG (n=42) or control group (n=42). The VRG group viewed immersive 3-dimensional nature videos via VRG throughout the procedure, while controls received routine care. Primary outcomes included PP (visual analogue scale) and anxiety levels (State Anxiety Inventory) assessed at baseline (pre-UT1), immediately postprocedure (post-UT2), and 15 minutes postprocedure (post-UT3). Secondary outcomes comprised hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR], oxygen saturation [SpO₂]) measured at identical timepoints.

Results: Groups demonstrated comparable baseline characteristics and PP scores (VRG: 2.52±2.76 vs. control: 3.07±2.99, P=0.386). While baseline anxiety levels were similar between groups, the VRG group exhibited significantly lower postprocedural anxiety scores (post-UT2: 34.64±4.98 vs. 39.21±8.11, P=0.003; post-UT3: 34.45±4.68 vs. 39.45±8.27, P=0.001). Hemodynamically, the VRG group demonstrated significantly reduced DBP at post-UT3 (73.4±9.7 mmHg vs. 78.7±12.0 mmHg, P=0.028) and lower RRs at both postprocedural timepoints (P<0.001 and P=0.015, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed for SBP, HR, or SpO₂.

Conclusion: VRG intervention during UT effectively reduced postprocedural anxiety and demonstrated beneficial effects on RR and DBP, without significantly impacting PP. These findings support the use of VRG by nurses as a safe, nonpharmacological adjunct for enhancing patient comfort during invasive urological procedures.