Research Article
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The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 429 - 436, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1568230

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of using virtual reality (VR) during blood draw on pain and anxiety levels in adults.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted at the blood collection unit of a medicine faculty hospital in central of Anatolia in Türkiye using a randomized controlled experimental design. The study sample consisted of a total of 76 adult patients, with 38 in the VR group and 38 in the control group. The patients were assigned to groups using block randomization method. Data were collected using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). While patients in VR group watched with nature images through VR googles during the blood draw, the control group received only the routine blood draw procedure. STAI scores of patients in both groups were measured before and after the procedure, along with VAS scores during the procedure.
Results: It was found that the VR group had statistically significantly lower mean VAS and STAI scores compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In line with these results, it can be said that the use of virtual reality during blood draw is effective in reducing pain and anxiety levels in adult patients.

Supporting Institution

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References

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  • Perdue MJ, Umar MA, Walker JD, et al. Immersive virtual reality for pain control and anxiolysis during IV blood draws in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Military Medicine 2023;188(7-8):e2467-e2471.
  • Alsbrooks K, Hoerauf K. Prevalence, causes, ımpacts, and management of needle phobia: an ınternational survey of a general adult population. Plos One 2022;17(11):e0276814.
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  • Birgili F, Aydın S. Examination of negative sign symptoms seen during bloodletting and the level of anxiety from ındividuals which are donating blood. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Journal 2011;18(2):17–26.
  • Trost Z, Jones A, Guck A, et al. Initial validation of a virtual blood draw exposure paradigm for fear of blood and needles. J Anxiety Disord 2017;51:65-71.
  • Yılmaz Koçak M, Kaya H. Kan alma işlemi sırasında uygulanan dikkati başka yöne çekme yöntemlerinin ağrı, anksiyete ve memnuniyet üzerine etkisi (The effect of distraction methods applied during blood collection on pain, anxiety and satisfaction). Fırat University Health Sciences Medical Journal 2022;36(2):84-91.
  • Kaplan A, Kaplan Ö. Analysis of nursing thesis using complementary therapies and supportive care applications during drug applications and blood collection, Ordu University Journal of Nursing Studies 2022;5 (1):84–92.
  • Davas S, Kürtüncü M. The effect of three different methods during blood collection on pain level and parental satisfaction in children. Archives of Health Science and Research 2021;8(1):60–68.
  • İnal S, Canbulat N. Using of Distraction Methods on Procedural Pain Management of Pediatric Patients. Arch Health Sci Res 2015;2(3):372-378,
  • Özalp Gerçeker G, Ayar D, Özdemir EZ, et al. Effects of virtual reality on pain, fear and anxiety during blood draw in children aged 5–12 years old: a randomised controlled study. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2020;29(7-8):1151–1161.
  • Şekerci C. History of the virtual reality concept. Journal of International Social Research 2017;10(54):1126–1133.
  • Piskorz J, Czub M. Effectiveness of a virtual reality intervention to minimize pediatric stress and pain intensity during venipuncture, Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing 2018;23 (1):1–6.
  • Koç Özkan T, Polat F. The effect of virtual reality and kaleidoscope on pain and anxiety levels during venipuncture in children. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 2020;35(2):206–211.
  • Ayran G, Köse G, Çelebioğlu A. The effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety during blood draw in children: a randomized controlled study. Gevher Nesibe Journal of Medical And Health Sciences 2023;8(3):469-477.
  • Akarsu Ö, Us MC, Semerci R, et al. The effect of two different virtual reality videos on pain, fear, and anxiety during a venous blood draw in children: a randomized controlled study. Pediatric Practice and Research 2023;11(3):164-170.
  • Başak T, Duman S, Demirtaş A. Distraction-based relief of pain associated with peripheral ıntravenous catheterisation in adults: a randomised controlled trial, Journal of Clinical Nursing 2020;29(5-6):770–777.
  • Mohammad EB, Ahmad M. Virtual reality as a distraction technique for pain and anxiety among patients with breast cancer: a randomized control trial. Palliat Support Care 2019;17(1):29–34.
  • Price DD, McGrath PA, Rafii A, et al. The validation of visual analogue scales as ratio scale measures for chronic and experimental pain, Pain 1983;17;45–56.
  • Eti Aslan F. The assessment methods of pain, Cumhuriyet Nursing Journal 2002;6(1):9–16.
  • Öner N, Le Compte A. Durumluk-Sürekli kaygı envanteri el kitabı, 1983. İstanbul, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
  • Eijlers R, Dierckx B, Staals LM, et al. Virtual reality exposure before elective day care surgery to reduce anxiety and pain in children. European Journal of Anaesthesiology 2019;36(10):728–737.
  • Glennon C, Mcelroy SF, Connelly LM, et al. Use of virtual reality to distract from pain and anxiety. Oncology Nursing Forum 2018; 45(4):545–552
  • Umezawa S, Higurashi T, Uchiyama S, et al. Visual distraction alone for the ımprovement of colonoscopy-related pain and satisfaction. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2015;21(15):4707–4714.
  • Veldhuijzen G, Klaassen NJM, Van Wezel RJA, et al. Virtual reality distraction for patients to relieve pain and discomfort during colonoscopy. Endoscopy International Open 2020;8(7):E959–E966.
  • Walker MR, Kallingal GJS, Musser JE, et al. Treatment efficacy of virtual reality distraction in the reduction of pain and anxiety during cystoscopy. Military Medicine 2014;179(8):891–896.
  • Başak T, Demirtaş A, Yörübulut SM. Virtual reality and distraction cards to reduce pain during ıntramuscular benzathine penicillin ınjection procedure in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2021;77(5):2511–2518.
  • Menekli T, Yaprak B, Doğan R. The effect of virtual reality distraction ıntervention on pain, anxiety, and vital signs of oncology patients undergoing port catheter ımplantation: a randomized controlled study. Pain Management Nursing 2022;23(5):585–590.
  • Mallari B, Spaeth EK, Goh H, et al. Virtual reality as an analgesic for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Pain Research 2019;12:2053–2085.
  • Smith V, Warty RR, Sursas JA, et al. The effectiveness of virtual reality in managing acute pain and anxiety for medical ınpatients: systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2020;22(11):e17980.
  • Cheruvatoor JJ, Kaini L, Hanafiah MABMA, et al. Use of virtual reality (vr) as an audio-visual distraction tool in the reduction of dental anxiety during local anesthesia. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 2021;33(31B):102-108.
  • Gilbertson CJ, Rasekaba T, Blackberry I. Effect of using virtual reality to manage needle phobia in adults undergoing medical procedures: a rapid review. Journal of Perioperative Nursing 2024; 37(1):29-40.

The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 429 - 436, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1568230

Abstract

References

  • Hassan AM, Mohammed GT, Hefnawy GR, et al. Effects of nursing guidance about venipuncture versus ordinary syringe, a comparative study on rates of phlebotomy hematoma. International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology 2023;10(2):3426-3438.
  • Perdue MJ, Umar MA, Walker JD, et al. Immersive virtual reality for pain control and anxiolysis during IV blood draws in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Military Medicine 2023;188(7-8):e2467-e2471.
  • Alsbrooks K, Hoerauf K. Prevalence, causes, ımpacts, and management of needle phobia: an ınternational survey of a general adult population. Plos One 2022;17(11):e0276814.
  • McLenon J, Rogers MAM. The fear of needles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Adv Nurs 2019;75(1):30-42.
  • Birgili F, Aydın S. Examination of negative sign symptoms seen during bloodletting and the level of anxiety from ındividuals which are donating blood. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Journal 2011;18(2):17–26.
  • Trost Z, Jones A, Guck A, et al. Initial validation of a virtual blood draw exposure paradigm for fear of blood and needles. J Anxiety Disord 2017;51:65-71.
  • Yılmaz Koçak M, Kaya H. Kan alma işlemi sırasında uygulanan dikkati başka yöne çekme yöntemlerinin ağrı, anksiyete ve memnuniyet üzerine etkisi (The effect of distraction methods applied during blood collection on pain, anxiety and satisfaction). Fırat University Health Sciences Medical Journal 2022;36(2):84-91.
  • Kaplan A, Kaplan Ö. Analysis of nursing thesis using complementary therapies and supportive care applications during drug applications and blood collection, Ordu University Journal of Nursing Studies 2022;5 (1):84–92.
  • Davas S, Kürtüncü M. The effect of three different methods during blood collection on pain level and parental satisfaction in children. Archives of Health Science and Research 2021;8(1):60–68.
  • İnal S, Canbulat N. Using of Distraction Methods on Procedural Pain Management of Pediatric Patients. Arch Health Sci Res 2015;2(3):372-378,
  • Özalp Gerçeker G, Ayar D, Özdemir EZ, et al. Effects of virtual reality on pain, fear and anxiety during blood draw in children aged 5–12 years old: a randomised controlled study. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2020;29(7-8):1151–1161.
  • Şekerci C. History of the virtual reality concept. Journal of International Social Research 2017;10(54):1126–1133.
  • Piskorz J, Czub M. Effectiveness of a virtual reality intervention to minimize pediatric stress and pain intensity during venipuncture, Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing 2018;23 (1):1–6.
  • Koç Özkan T, Polat F. The effect of virtual reality and kaleidoscope on pain and anxiety levels during venipuncture in children. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 2020;35(2):206–211.
  • Ayran G, Köse G, Çelebioğlu A. The effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety during blood draw in children: a randomized controlled study. Gevher Nesibe Journal of Medical And Health Sciences 2023;8(3):469-477.
  • Akarsu Ö, Us MC, Semerci R, et al. The effect of two different virtual reality videos on pain, fear, and anxiety during a venous blood draw in children: a randomized controlled study. Pediatric Practice and Research 2023;11(3):164-170.
  • Başak T, Duman S, Demirtaş A. Distraction-based relief of pain associated with peripheral ıntravenous catheterisation in adults: a randomised controlled trial, Journal of Clinical Nursing 2020;29(5-6):770–777.
  • Mohammad EB, Ahmad M. Virtual reality as a distraction technique for pain and anxiety among patients with breast cancer: a randomized control trial. Palliat Support Care 2019;17(1):29–34.
  • Price DD, McGrath PA, Rafii A, et al. The validation of visual analogue scales as ratio scale measures for chronic and experimental pain, Pain 1983;17;45–56.
  • Eti Aslan F. The assessment methods of pain, Cumhuriyet Nursing Journal 2002;6(1):9–16.
  • Öner N, Le Compte A. Durumluk-Sürekli kaygı envanteri el kitabı, 1983. İstanbul, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
  • Eijlers R, Dierckx B, Staals LM, et al. Virtual reality exposure before elective day care surgery to reduce anxiety and pain in children. European Journal of Anaesthesiology 2019;36(10):728–737.
  • Glennon C, Mcelroy SF, Connelly LM, et al. Use of virtual reality to distract from pain and anxiety. Oncology Nursing Forum 2018; 45(4):545–552
  • Umezawa S, Higurashi T, Uchiyama S, et al. Visual distraction alone for the ımprovement of colonoscopy-related pain and satisfaction. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2015;21(15):4707–4714.
  • Veldhuijzen G, Klaassen NJM, Van Wezel RJA, et al. Virtual reality distraction for patients to relieve pain and discomfort during colonoscopy. Endoscopy International Open 2020;8(7):E959–E966.
  • Walker MR, Kallingal GJS, Musser JE, et al. Treatment efficacy of virtual reality distraction in the reduction of pain and anxiety during cystoscopy. Military Medicine 2014;179(8):891–896.
  • Başak T, Demirtaş A, Yörübulut SM. Virtual reality and distraction cards to reduce pain during ıntramuscular benzathine penicillin ınjection procedure in adults: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2021;77(5):2511–2518.
  • Menekli T, Yaprak B, Doğan R. The effect of virtual reality distraction ıntervention on pain, anxiety, and vital signs of oncology patients undergoing port catheter ımplantation: a randomized controlled study. Pain Management Nursing 2022;23(5):585–590.
  • Mallari B, Spaeth EK, Goh H, et al. Virtual reality as an analgesic for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Pain Research 2019;12:2053–2085.
  • Smith V, Warty RR, Sursas JA, et al. The effectiveness of virtual reality in managing acute pain and anxiety for medical ınpatients: systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2020;22(11):e17980.
  • Cheruvatoor JJ, Kaini L, Hanafiah MABMA, et al. Use of virtual reality (vr) as an audio-visual distraction tool in the reduction of dental anxiety during local anesthesia. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 2021;33(31B):102-108.
  • Gilbertson CJ, Rasekaba T, Blackberry I. Effect of using virtual reality to manage needle phobia in adults undergoing medical procedures: a rapid review. Journal of Perioperative Nursing 2024; 37(1):29-40.
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Services and Systems (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Magbül Ahmet Çoban 0000-0003-4496-1201

Serap Sayar 0000-0003-4195-0320

Publication Date September 30, 2025
Submission Date October 16, 2024
Acceptance Date August 28, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Çoban, M. A., & Sayar, S. (2025). The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 9(3), 429-436. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1568230
AMA Çoban MA, Sayar S. The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. JBACHS. September 2025;9(3):429-436. doi:10.30621/jbachs.1568230
Chicago Çoban, Magbül Ahmet, and Serap Sayar. “The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 9, no. 3 (September 2025): 429-36. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1568230.
EndNote Çoban MA, Sayar S (September 1, 2025) The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 9 3 429–436.
IEEE M. A. Çoban and S. Sayar, “The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study”, JBACHS, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 429–436, 2025, doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1568230.
ISNAD Çoban, Magbül Ahmet - Sayar, Serap. “The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 9/3 (September2025), 429-436. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1568230.
JAMA Çoban MA, Sayar S. The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. JBACHS. 2025;9:429–436.
MLA Çoban, Magbül Ahmet and Serap Sayar. “The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, vol. 9, no. 3, 2025, pp. 429-36, doi:10.30621/jbachs.1568230.
Vancouver Çoban MA, Sayar S. The Effect of Virtual Reality Applied During Blood Draw on Pain And Anxiety in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study. JBACHS. 2025;9(3):429-36.