The effect of using virtual reality technology on anxiety and vital signs before surgery in patients undergoing open heart surgery

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anxiety is one of the most common psychological problems in open-heart surgery patients. Not controlling this problem can negatively the operation outcome and the patient’s physical condition. Among various training methods and tools introduced to deal with this issue, the ideal method still remains unknown. Therefore, the present study was to determine the effect of using virtual reality technology on preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants of this interventional-educational study included 60 patients who were candidates for open heart surgery. The samples were randomly divided into two groups virtual reality(n = 30)and ordinary video (n = 30). For the virtual reality group, a virtual reality film and for the ordinary video group, an ordinary video of the physical space and operating room staff were displayed the day before the operation. Patients’ anxiety in both groups was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 25. RESULTS: The mean anxiety score before the intervention was 55.8 and 58.33 in the virtual reality group and the ordinary video group, respectively. After the intervention, it reached 38.60 in the virtual reality group and 45.13 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the anxiety scores of the subjects in the virtual reality and ordinary video groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). However, the difference between the anxiety scores of the subjects in the virtual reality and ordinary video groups after the intervention was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although virtual reality and ordinary video interventions effectively reduce anxiety in heart surgery patients, virtual reality seems to lower anxiety in heart surgery patients by diverting attention from external stimuli and immersing the person in the virtual world more than ordinary video.