The Effect of a Virtual Reality Distraction Intervention on Pain in Patients Following a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND

Post-procedural pain following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a significant clinical challenge, affecting 5% of patients and potentially impairing recovery and quality of life. While pharmacological interventions are commonly used, their side effects highlight the need for non-invasive alternatives. Recent studies demonstrate VR's efficacy in acute pain settings, yet its application in post-PCI pain management remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the efficacy of VR on pain management in patients undergoing PCI. As a secondary objective, we assessed patient acceptability and satisfaction with the VR intervention using a 5-item Likert questionnaire (range 1 = very dissatisfied to 5 = very satisfied).

METHODS

A randomized clinical trial was conducted at two tertiary-care centers in Karbala, Iraq: the Karbala Center for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery and Al-Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba Teaching Hospital, from September 2024 to January 2025. Participants (N = 144) were equally allocated to control (routine care) and intervention (VR-based distraction via 3D nature videos with relaxing music) groups. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 27, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. This study adheres to the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines for reporting randomized controlled trials.

RESULTS

Most participants were male (56.9% in the intervention group). Mean ages were 57.38 ± 6.514 (intervention) and 60.53 ± 7.530 (control) years. A statistically significant reduction in pain scores (p < 0.01) was observed in the VR group, whereas the control group showed no significant changes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

VR-based distraction significantly reduces post-PCI pain. The intervention demonstrated high acceptability and safety with no adverse effects. VR is recommended as a proactive, non-pharmacological strategy for pain management following PCI.