The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses Application on Anxiety, Comfort, and Complication Development During Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this investigation was to assess how the implementation of virtual reality glasses (VRG) influences anxiety levels, patient comfort, and the occurrence of complications among individuals undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB).

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (1:1 allocation) enrolled 70 TRUS-PB patients. Participants were allocated randomly into VRG (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. The VRG group viewed three-dimensional nature-based video content via VRG throughout the biopsy, whereas the control group received conventional clinical management. Data collection instruments included the "Demographic Information Form," "State Anxiety Inventory," and "Comfort Level Determination Form" administered pre and postprocedure, alongside a "Complication Monitoring Form" completed 24 hours following the intervention.

RESULTS

Preprocedural anxiety and comfort measurements showed no statistically meaningful differences between groups (P > .05). Postprocedurally, the VRG group demonstrated markedly reduced anxiety compared to controls (P < .001), accompanied by substantially elevated comfort levels (P < .001). While complications during the initial 24-hour postprocedural period were evaluated in both groups, statistical significance between groups emerged solely for urinary retention (P = .027), while no statistically significant differences were found for the other complications.

CONCLUSION

This investigation determined that integrating VRG into TRUS-PB procedures reduced patient anxiety and improved comfort, while urinary retention was observed less frequently in the VRG group, with no significant differences in other complications.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: VRG is a safe, effective and cost-effective intervention that can be administered by nurses during TRUS-PB procedures.