Virtual reality in the management of hematophobia in hospital settings: impact on anxiety reduction

Hematophobia, or fear of blood, needles, and injections, is a specific phobia that impacts procedural adherence and patient outcomes in healthcare settings. This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for anxiety reduction during venipuncture, focusing on patients with varying degrees of hematophobia. This analytical, experimental study involved 185 patients divided into case (VR intervention) and control (standard procedure) groups across two settings: a clinical laboratory and a hematology day hospital. Anxiety was measured pre- and post-procedure using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the blood-injection phobia inventory (BIPI). Statistical analyses, including the Wilcoxon test, assessed the impact of VR across demographic and procedural variables. The prevalence of hematophobia was high, with 32.4% of patients classified as severe, 31.9% as moderate, and 35.7% as mild. VR significantly reduced pre- and post-procedure anxiety, particularly in patients with moderate hematophobia (p < 0.05). Patients under 40 years of age and women exhibited greater anxiety reductions with VR, while the impact was less pronounced in older adults and those with severe hematophobia. The regression analysis identified VR as the strongest predictor of anxiety reduction (β = 1.80, p = 0.0001), underscoring its efficacy in mitigating procedural stress. This study confirms VR's potential as an effective intervention for managing hematophobia in clinical contexts, particularly among patients with moderate anxiety. The technology's effectiveness depends on patient age, familiarity with VR, and the severity of hematophobia. Despite these benefits, challenges such as cost, potential VR sickness, and limited efficacy in severe cases highlight the need for tailored implementation strategies. VR is a valuable tool for reducing anxiety during venipuncture, improving procedural adherence, and enhancing patient experiences. Its integration into hospital protocols should prioritize personalization based on patient profiles to maximize clinical and economic benefits.