The Effect of Virtual Reality Headset and Hand Massage on Pain, Anxiety, Patient Satisfaction, and Physiological Parameters in Patients Who Have Undergone Abdominal Surgery

THE QUICK READ

What this study involves

The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Not applicable
Age range: 18 years - Not specified
Sex eligible: All sexes
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Participants: 66 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of using a virtual reality headset and conventional hand massage on pain, anxiety, patient satisfaction, and physiological parameters in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: the virtual reality group, the conventional hand massage group, and the control group. Pain levels, anxiety levels, satisfaction levels, and physiological parameters will be assessed both before and after the procedure. The study aims to determine whether these non-pharmacological methods improve postoperative pain, anxiety, patient satisfaction, and physiological parameters.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 and older

Who have not previously undergone abdominal surgery
Who underwent elective surgery
Who had a numerical pain scale score of 3 or higher prior to the procedure
Possessing the cognitive ability to tolerate the virtual reality headset application
Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study
Patients on the second postoperative day
No history of chronic pain (e.g., arthritis)
Patients who are alert and oriented enough to communicate (Glasgow Coma Scale 15)
Patients with normal vision and hearing
Patients suitable for hand massage
Patients who are not addicted to alcohol or drugs
Patients not taking anxiolytics
Patients who can read and understand Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those under the age of 18

Those with vision or hearing loss
Those who are not clinically stable
Those who have undergone emergency surgery
Those with a known history of epilepsy, vertigo, or limited mobility
Those with surgical incisions or wounds in the facial area that prevent them from wearing VR goggles
Those using chronic opioids or psychiatric medications
Individuals with open wounds, burns, infections, phlebitis, ecchymosis, hematomas, or fractures on their hands
Patients with an intravenous catheter in their hand
Those who wish to withdraw from the study during the research period

Understand screening

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment: Random assignment
Masking: Double masked

Virtual Reality Group

Immediately before the procedure, the fourth researcher will administer the Numerical Pain Scale, the State Anxiety Scale, the Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and the Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form to patients on the second postoperative day at the clinic. Next, the second researcher will fit the patient with a virtual reality headset, and the patient will watch nature-themed videos-such as forest scenes, beach walks, and parks-for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the virtual reality session will end. Immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes later, the fourth researcher will have the patients complete the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Glasses

Classic Hand Massage Group

Immediately before the intervention, the fourth researcher will administer the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form to patients on the second postoperative day at the clinic. Next, the second researcher will perform a classic hand massage for a total of 15 minutes-7.5 minutes on the right hand followed by 7.5 minutes on the left hand. After 15 minutes, the classical hand massage will be discontinued. Immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes later, the fourth researcher will have the patients complete the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form.

Behavioral: Classic Hand Massage

Control Group

During the initial patient encounter, the fourth researcher will administer the Numerical Pain Scale, the State Anxiety Scale, the Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and the Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form. In routine clinical practice, care will be continued by the nurse responsible for the patient's care. The second researcher will not perform any additional interventions. At the same time as the group receiving the virtual reality headset application and conventional hand massage, the fourth researcher will have the patients complete the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form.

Virtual Reality Glasses BEHAVIORAL

Immediately before the procedure, the fourth researcher will administer the Numerical Pain Scale, the State Anxiety Scale, the Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and the Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form to patients on the second postoperative day at the clinic. Next, the second researcher will fit the patient with a virtual reality headset, and the patient will watch nature-themed videos-such as forest scenes, beach walks, and parks-for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the virtual reality session will end. Immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes later, the fourth researcher will have the patients complete the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form. This distraction technique aims to reduce pain perception and anxiety levels, increase patient satisfaction during the procedure, and improve physiological parameters.

Classic Hand Massage BEHAVIORAL

Immediately before the intervention, the fourth researcher will administer the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form to patients on the second postoperative day at the clinic. Next, the second researcher will perform a classic hand massage for a total of 15 minutes-7.5 minutes on the right hand followed by 7.5 minutes on the left hand. After 15 minutes, the classical hand massage will be discontinued. Immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes later, the fourth researcher will have the patients complete the Numerical Pain Scale, State Anxiety Scale, Numerical Satisfaction Scale, and Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form. This distraction technique aims to reduce pain perception and anxiety levels, increase patient satisfaction during the procedure, and improve physiological parameters.

Prepare your questions

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Postoperative pain

Time frame: The second day after surgery, immediately before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, and 30 minutes later.

Pain intensity will be measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain possible). Measurements will be taken three times: on the second day after surgery, immediately before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, and 30 minutes later.