Immediate Effect of Virtual Reality As A Method Of Relaxation on Acute Pain, Respiratory Rate, and Anxiety in Postoperative CABG Patients: An Experimental Study

AIM: To study the immediate effects of virtual reality as a method of relaxation on acute pain, the respiratory rate and anxiety in postoperative CABG patients. OBJECTIVE: 1. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to study the immediate effect of VR as a method of relaxing acute pain in postoperative CABG patients. 2. To study the immediate effect of virtual reality as a method of relaxation on the respiratory rate in postoperative CABG patients via an observation method. 3. To study the immediate effect of virtual reality as a method of relaxation on anxiety in postoperative CABG patients via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. BACKGROUND : This study is relevant to physiotherapy, as it explores the integration of virtual reality in phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation for CABG patients. It provides physiotherapists with innovative tools to manage pain, anxiety, and respiratory rates effectively, ultimately enhancing patient recovery and overall outcomes. METHODS : - This 18-month experimental pre-post study involved 50 postoperative CABG patients in the ICU. Convenience sampling is used. Participants (aged 39–72 years, mean 58.94 years). Postop CABG- POD 2. Acknowledgments: The study employed both Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired t tests to evaluate the impact of VR on pain, anxiety, and respiratory rates in postoperative CABG patients. Statistically significant reductions were observed in the VAS score, STAI score, and respiratory rate. RESULTS: - The analysis revealed that virtual reality relaxation significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and respiratory rates in postoperative CABG patients, highlighting its potential as an effective physiotherapy intervention to enhance recovery and improve patient comfort. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that VR significantly reduces pain, anxiety, and respiratory rates in postoperative CABG patients, promoting improved recovery outcomes. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of virtual reality relaxation on postoperative recovery, specifically in CABG patients, and assess its impact across various clinical settings.