The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Vital Signs and State Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Virtual reality (VR) glasses are an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing anxiety, supported by a high level of evidence and associated with no known side effects. Techniques involving relaxation and distraction, such as VR, function by suppressing the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic branch, thereby eliciting a relaxation response.

VR glasses divert the patient's attention away from pain and anxiety. By reducing the sense of unfamiliarity in clinical environments, VR helps patients adapt more easily, leading to enhanced relaxation. This state of relaxation not only alleviates anxiety but also induces favorable physiological responses. These include reductions in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR), along with an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂). Additionally, the psychological benefits of VR contribute to the reduction of anxiety, stress, fear, and worry.

VR is considered a cost-effective, safe, and non-pharmacological intervention. Several studies support its efficacy. For example, in a study comparing the effects of video games played through VR headsets and iPads on preoperative anxiety in adult patients undergoing sternotomy, anxiety was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and lower anxiety levels were observed in the VR group. Another study demonstrated that watching nature scenes through VR glasses for five minutes prior to maxillofacial surgery significantly reduced anxiety. Furthermore, research comparing progressive muscle relaxation exercises and VR during arthroscopic knee surgery-measured using the State Anxiety Inventory-indicated that both non-pharmacological interventions were effective in reducing anxiety.

However, despite this growing body of evidence, no study to date has examined the effects of VR applications on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography or pacemaker implantation. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating the comparative effectiveness of virtual reality applications in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Coronary Angiography (CAG)
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Glasses will be used DURING CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY APPLICATION

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 84
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Kütahya
    • Merkez, Kütahya, Turkey (Türkiye), 43200
      • Kutahya Health Sciences University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria: Patients who will undergo coronary angiography or pacemaker implantation, Not to receive sedation during the procedure, Written and verbal acceptance to participate in the study,

• Are over 18 years of age,
• Do not have any psychiatric illness,
• Do not have any vision, hearing or perception problems,
• Are at least a primary school graduate,
• Do not have any disorder/disease affecting decision-making ability (dementia, psychological disorder, etc.)
• Volunteer to participate in the study,
• Are open to communication and cooperation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who receive sedation, patients who cannot communicate, patients with visual or hearing impairments, and individuals who do not agree to participate in the research will be included.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group; No intervention will be made to the patient during the Coronary Angiography application.
Experimental: virtual reality glasses Group	Behavioral: Virtual Reality Glasses will be used DURING CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY APPLICATION; Virtual Reality Glasses will be used DURING CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY APPLICATION

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in State Anxiety Score	Before and after the intervention (pre- and post-intervention) It will be measured using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). The score varies between 20 and 80.	Before the intervention (15 minutes before the procedure), and within the first 15 minutes after the intervention is completed

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Vital Signs (Heart Rate)	To be measured before and after the virtual reality intervention	Before the intervention (15 minutes before the procedure), and within the first 15 minutes after the intervention is completed
Change in Vital Signs (Blood Pressure)	To be measured before and after the virtual reality intervention	Before the intervention (15 minutes before the procedure), and within the first 15 minutes after the intervention is completed
Change in Vital Signs (Respiratory Rate)	To be measured before and after the virtual reality intervention	Before the intervention (15 minutes before the procedure), and within the first 15 minutes after the intervention is completed

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 11, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 23, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): June 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 26, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: anxiety; coronary angiography; vital signs; virtual reality glasses
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Anxiety Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: KutahyaHSU20240106

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No