The Effect of a Virtual Reality Environment and Hand Massage Applied in the Preoperative Area on Patient Outcomes.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of virtual reality and hand massage on preoperative anxiety, vital signs, pain, and patient satisfaction in 78 elective surgery patients. Both interventions significantly reduced surgical anxiety scores compared to baseline, with the control group showing higher anxiety levels post-intervention (p = 0.006).

Key findings

• Post-intervention surgical anxiety scores were significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention groups (p = 0.006).
• Both interventions significantly reduced total and subscale anxiety scores (p<0.001).
• Health-related anxiety reduction was greater in the hand massage group (p = 0.003).
• Greater decreases in recovery anxiety were observed in the virtual reality group (p = 0.011).

Why it matters

Reducing preoperative anxiety is crucial for improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. Nonpharmacological interventions like virtual reality and hand massage can be effective strategies to support patients in the preoperative period.