Virtual Reality in the Management of Hematophobia in Hospital Settings: Impact on Anxiety Reduction

Introduction : Hematophobia, a specific phobia that triggers an irrational fear of blood and related procedures such as venipuncture, can lead to the avoidance of essential medical care. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to reduce anxiety associated with these procedures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hematophobia among patients who visit the hospital for venipuncture and to evaluate the impact of VR on reducing anxiety and fear during venipuncture, considering variables such as gender, age, number of annual hospital visits, and service. Material and Method : An analytical and experimental study was conducted, randomized 1:1, with a sample of 185 patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 70 years, divided into two groups: clinical analysis laboratory and hematology day hospital. Anxiety was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the severity of hematophobia was measured with the Blood-Injection Phobia Inventory (BIPI). Results : VR was more effective in reducing anxiety in patients with moderate hematophobia, with a significant reduction in pre- and post-puncture anxiety scores (p=0.012). VR was particularly effective in patients under 40 years of age (p=0.039), while no statistical significance was observed in patients over 65 years of age. Conclusions : VR is effective in reducing anxiety during venipuncture, especially in patients with moderate hematophobia and those under 40 years of age. Its application needs to be personalized according to the clinical context.