Virtual Reality During Coronary Angiography: Effects on Pain and Anxiety

NCT07483619 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2019-84
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigated whether virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is a common cardiac procedure performed under local anesthesia while patients remain awake, which can cause significant pain and anxiety. Adult patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two groups: one group watched a nature-themed VR video during the procedure, while the control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured before and after the procedure using validated scales. The findings of this study may help healthcare providers offer a simple, non-pharmacological method to improve patient comfort during coronary angiography.

Conditions

Coronary Angiography (CAG); Anxiety; Pain; Virtual Reality

Keywords

Virtual reality; Coronary Angiography; Pain Management; Anxiety; Non-pharmacological Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.

  Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• State-Trait Anxiety Level Measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)

  Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Reality Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants watched a nature-themed virtual reality video through a VR headset throughout the coronary angiography procedure in addition to standard care.

Device: Virtual Reality Headset

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants received standard care without any additional intervention during coronary angiography.

Interventions

Virtual Reality Headset DEVICE

Participants in the VR group wore a virtual reality headset and watched a pre-selected nature-themed video throughout the coronary angiography procedure. The VR intervention was applied in addition to standard care and was maintained for the entire duration of the procedure.

Virtual Reality Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Scheduled for elective coronary angiography
• Conscious and oriented
• Able to communicate verbally
• No prior coronary angiography experience
• Willing to participate and provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of psychiatric disorder or use of psychiatric medication
• Visual or hearing impairment that would prevent VR use
• Hemodynamic instability
• Emergency coronary angiography
• Inability to complete the questionnaires
• Prior experience with virtual reality

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Koç University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Koç University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Pain; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2026
• First Posted: March 19, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2023
• Study Completion: February 1, 2023
• Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

TU (1)