The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Anxiety Level and Patient Satisfaction During Thyroid Fine Needle Biopsy

Objective: The present study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study to investigate the effects of virtual reality glasses on anxiety levels and patient satisfaction in patients who underwent fine-needle thyroid biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study included 80 patients (40 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group) who were admitted to the endocrinology and metabolic disease outpatient clinic of a city hospital and who continued their treatment in this unit. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Personal Information Form, State Anxiety Scale, and a Satisfaction with the Virtual Reality Goggles Application Form. Results: The amount of anxiety in the intervention group decreased significantly (p=0.050) after the procedure. A total of 77.5% of the patients who took part in the study said they would be interested in using virtual reality glasses if the process were done again. Additionally, 77.5% of the patients said they would not think twice about recommending virtual glasses to people who are going to have a fine-needle biopsy of the thyroid. Conclusion: VR glasses have the potential to significantly decrease anxiety levels. It is recommended that the use of virtual reality glasses by nurses in patient care practices be expanded.