The effect of virtual reality glasses on reducing pain during chest tube removal

• Main Authors: Zeynep Kızılcık Özkan (Author), Ayşe Gökçe Işıklı (Author), Fazlı Yanık (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: National Scientific Medical Center, 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1812-2892; 2313-1519; 10.23950/jcmk/13504
• Keywords: chest tube removal; pain; virtual reality; Internal medicine; RC31-1245; Specialties of internal medicine; RC581-951
• Source: Ķazaķstannyṇ Klinikalyķ Medicinasy, Vol 20, Iss 4, Pp 38-42 (2023)

<b>Background:</b> The studies that generally investigate the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in reducing chest tube removal related pain are remarkable. However, new studies need to expand the use of virtual reality glasses and evaluate its effectiveness.<br /> <b>Aim</b>: This study aims to determine the effect of distraction with virtual reality glasses on pain during chest tube removal in patients undergoing tube thoracostomy.<br /> <b>Material and methods:</b> This quasi-experimental study with a pre-test post-test control group design was performed with the participation of 40 patients. The patients in the intervention group (n=20) watched the video with virtual reality glasses throughout procedure. Pain measurements were evaluated before, during, and after chest tube removal. The patients in the control group (n=20) received standard care.<br /> <b>Results:</b> In the intervention group, it was revealed that the pre-procedure pain score decreased compared to the pain score obtained during the procedure (p=0.002). After the chest tube removal procedure, a statistically significant decrease was observed in pain score in favor of the intervention group. In the intervention group, the pre-procedure pain score was found to decrease statistically significantly in the measurement at the 10th min of the procedure (p=0.000). The pain score of the intervention group 10 min after the chest tube removal procedure was lower than that of the control group (1.80 vs 2.95 and p=0.028).<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b> The virtual reality glasses assisted chest tube removal procedure can help reduce pain. Surgical nurses should benefit from the use of virtual reality glasses for pain control.