The effect of virtual reality distraction on reducing patients' anxiety before coronary angiography: a randomized clinical trial study

Background: Coronary angiography is used as a qualified method to diagnose coronary heart disease. However, patients undergoing coronary angiography experience a great deal of anxiety. The present study is aimed at investigating the effect of virtual reality on anxiety before coronary angiography. In a randomized controlled trial, 60 candidates for coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups from April to July 2019. Data were collected by Spielberger's situational anxiety questionnaire. The participants'anxiety level and their heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were measured before and immediately after the intervention. The Intervention group received virtual reality intervention, and the control group was cared for based on the hospital routine. Data were entered into the SPSS version 24.0 software (SPSS Inc.) and analyzed using Chi-square, Paired samples, and independent sample t tests. Results: The majority of participants were male (71.25%) and the Mean +/- SD age of them in the intervention and control groups was 50.95 +/- 4.120 and 52.08 +/- 4.002 years, respectively. The mean score of anxiety (p < 0.01), heart rate (p = 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (p= 0.016) after the intervention in the intervention group decreased significantly. Conclusions: This study indicated the implementation of a VR distraction protocol in the patients could effectively reduce perioperative anxiety and its indices. It showed that VR is a safe method without any complications related to the device and with good acceptability.