Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Pain During Burn Dressing

Objective: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study in order to determine the effect of virtual reality glasses on pain during burn dressing in inpatients and outpatients in the burn unit. Methods: The research was carried out in the Burn Unit of Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital between July and August 2021. The sample size was 60 patients who were selected by random sampling and consented to take part in the study. The cohort was divided into 30 in the experimental group and 30 controls. The patients in the experimental group wore virtual reality glasses with vision and sound before the dressing started. The patients in the control group underwent routine burn dressing. Sociodemographic Data Questionnaire and Numerical Pain Scale were used to collect data. Results: The pain scale mean score of the experimental group (4.17±1.60) was significantly lower than the mean score of the control group (6.17±1.58) (p=0.000). Conclusion: The use of virtual reality glasses during burn dressing, which is usually a very painful procedure, reduced patient perception of pain. It is recommended that the application be started to be used on a regular basis in the burn unit.