The Effect of Virtual Reality on Anxiety and Vital Signs in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement Surgery

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of virtual reality on patients undergoing total knee replacement on their anxiety level and vital signs. A total of 70 patients were randomly allocated into the virtual reality group (n = 35) and control group (n = 35). Patients in the virtual reality group were shown nature and landscape images with virtual reality for 1 hour during surgery. The routine intraoperative procedure was used for the patients in the control group. Data were collected using the "Vital Signs Follow-up Form" and "State Anxiety Inventory." Results revealed that the mean State Anxiety Inventory score of the patients in the virtual reality group was statistically significantly lower than the control group ( t = -11.854; P = .00; η 2 = 0.508). While there was no significant difference between the groups in respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation means at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and pulse rate means at 0 and 15 minutes ( P > .05), pulse rate means at 30, 45, and 60 minutes were lower in the virtual reality group compared to the control group ( P < .05). Virtual reality application during total knee replacement surgery did not affect all vital signs of patients, but only reduced the pulse rate and significantly reduced anxiety levels.