The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Vital Signs and State Anxiety Level in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for the First Time: A Semi-Experimental Study

Aim: This study was conducted as a non-randomized control group experimental study to determine the effect of virtual reality glasses on vital signs and state anxiety levels in cancer patients. Method: The sample of the study consisted of 30 patients who were assigned to the intervention and control groups by the stratified sampling method. After the chemotherapy infusion was started, the intervention group was provided with relaxing 3D videos of their choice. Both groups were re-administered the situational anxiety scale with the measurement of vital signs at the end of the chemotherapy infusion. Results: The mean score of the post-chemotherapy state anxiety scale in the intervention group was 30.60±8.20, while in the control group it was 39.70±8.82, and this difference was statistically significantly higher (p <0.05). Although there was no statistical significance in the saturation values measured before and after chemotherapy in the intervention group, it was determined to be higher after chemotherapy (p>0.05).When the control group was examined, although there was a statistically significant difference in heart rate and saturation values (t=3.962; p=0.000, Z=-2.837; p=0.005) before chemotherapy, it was lower than the values of the intervention group. Conclusion: As a result, virtual reality glasses had a positive effect on the anxiety levels and vital signs of the patients.