Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
The Effect of Virtual Reality Headset Use on Anxiety Levels During Urodynamic Testing: A Prospective, Randomized
Nurten Seyis Sibal1, Ibrahim Sibal2, Hamit Zafer Aksoy2
1Department of Nursing, Avrasya University, Trabzon, Türkiye.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) headset use on anxiety levels in patients undergoing urodynamic testing.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test design was conducted. Patients scheduled for urodynamic evaluation were randomly assigned to either the VR group or the control group. The VR group watched pre-recorded 360° nature videos during the procedure, while the control group underwent the standard procedure. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II) before and after the procedure.
Results:
A total of 86 participants were included in the study, with 43 in the VR group and 43 in the control group. The mean age was 52 ± 13 years. Both groups showed a significant reduction in anxiety post-procedure (P = .001). However, the decrease in STAI Form I scores was significantly greater in the VR group (15 ± 10) compared to the control group (7 ± 10) (P = .001). Additionally, 65% of VR users stated they would prefer using the headset in future procedures, and 72% would recommend it to others.
Conclusion:
VR application significantly reduced anxiety levels in patients undergoing urodynamic testing. Given its ease of use, affordability, and positive patient feedback, VR represents a promising non-pharmacological intervention for improving patient comfort during invasive urological procedures. Further studies are needed to explore its potential impact on urodynamic findings.
Clinicaltrials:
gov ID: NCT06905665.
