Emine Korkmaz, Dilek Gelin, Fatma Gönül Burkev, Ziya Şimşek
Virtual reality appears to be a useful adjunctive intervention for reducing procedural pain during femoral sheath removal following coronary angiography and may also contribute to favorable changes in anxiety and blood pressure responses. Its integration into cardiovascular nursing care may support patient comfort during the procedure. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
BACKGROUND: Femoral sheath removal after coronary angiography is commonly associated with acute procedural pain, increased anxiety, and hemodynamic fluctuations related to sympathetic activation. Effective non-pharmacological strategies to mitigate these responses are of clinical importance in improving patient comfort and procedural outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR) intervention on pain intensity, anxiety levels, and hemodynamic parameters during femoral sheath removal in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
METHODS: In this single-center randomized controlled trial, 100 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography were randomly assigned to either a routine care control group or a virtual reality (VR) intervention group. The intervention group received VR exposure during femoral sheath removal. Pain intensity and hemodynamic parameters were assessed before, during, and after the procedure. State anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after sheath removal.
RESULTS: Patients in the VR group had significantly lower pain scores during and after femoral sheath removal compared with the control group (during: 1.64 ± 1.71 vs. 5.48 ± 1.18; post-procedure: 1.58 ± 1.59 vs. 3.62 ± 0.78; p < .001). Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the VR group during sheath removal, while diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower during and after sheath removal (p < .05). No significant between-group differences were observed in heart rate, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation. State anxiety showed a significant Group × Time interaction (p = .007).
CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality appears to be a useful adjunctive intervention for reducing procedural pain during femoral sheath removal following coronary angiography and may also contribute to favorable changes in anxiety and blood pressure responses. Its integration into cardiovascular nursing care may support patient comfort during the procedure. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.