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NCT Number: NCT07457788

Virtual Reality Forest Sounds and Patient Outcomes During Chest Tube Removal

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of listening to nature sounds in a virtual reality forest on pain, vital signs, comfort, and patient satisfaction during chest tube removal. This study aims to determine whether there are significant differences in pain, comfort, patient satisfaction, and vital signs between the experimental and control groups during chest tube removal. "In this study, a VR video featuring a relaxing forest environment with nature sounds will be used with a virtual reality headset. Patients will be exposed to both auditory and visual stimuli. It is anticipated that the findings of this randomized controlled experimental study will make a significant contribution to the literature and clinical

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dr. Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Kadıköy, 34668, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ayça Uzun, MSc Student

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ayça Uzun, MSc student

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 5376087592

Hatice Demirdağ, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 5057612213

About this study

Study Type: This research will be conducted using a pretest-posttest, randomized controlled experimental design.

Demographic Information Form This form, developed by the researcher, includes patient age, gender, education level, diagnosis, and information regarding the location of the chest tube placement.

Visual Analog Scale (Pain) Created by Price et al. (1983), this scale ranges from 0, defined as "No pain," to 10, defined as "Unbearable pain." Patients are asked to score their pain between 0 and 10, representing the intensity of the pain they experience .

Patient Satisfaction Scale A satisfaction scale was developed to assess patients' satisfaction with the chest tube removal procedure. Patients will be asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10.

Vital Signs Monitoring Form This form records the patient's vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation) before and after chest tube removal.

Comfort Scale A 0-10 scale, where one end represents "Most comfortable" and the other end represents "Most uncomfortable." The number marked by the patient indicates their level of comfort.

The researcher will identify patients in the thoracic surgery ward who are scheduled for chest tube removal and meet the sample criteria, in order to collect data for the intervention and control groups. In the ward, 28 Fr chest tubes are generally used, but 32 Fr tubes may also be applied depending on the patient's condition. The decision to remove the chest tubes is made by the responsible physician after reviewing the patient's chest X-ray following the ward visit. Chest tube removal is performed by assistant doctors in the procedure room of the ward. The assignment of participating patients to either the control or intervention group will be determined by randomization.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Able to speak and understand Turkish
  • Willing to participate in the study
  • Aged 18 years or older
  • No auditory or visual impairments

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with impaired orientation to time and place
  • Patients with migraine, vertigo, or dizziness
  • Illiterate patients

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality with Nature Sounds

Device

During chest tube removal, the patient will wear a VR headset and headphones to view a virtual forest environment and listen to nature sounds; pain, vital signs, comfort, and patient satisfaction will be assessed during this period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain level during chest tube removal

    Time frame: Pain levels will be measured 10 minutes before chest tube removal, immediately after removal, and 10 minutes after removal.

    Patient pain status is determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A score of 0 indicates 'no pain,' and a score of 10 indicates 'worst possible pain.' Higher scores indicate worse outcomes

Secondary outcomes

  1. vital signs- Heart Rate

    Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.

    Heart rate is measured in beats per minute, indicating a physiological response to pain and anxiety. The normal range for adults is typically 60 to 100 bpm.

  2. Vital signs- Respiratory Rate

    Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.

    Respiratory rate is measured in breaths per minute to assess the physiological response to pain and increased anxiety. The normal range for adults is typically 12 to 20 breaths/minute.

  3. Patient Satisfaction

    Time frame: The patient satisfaction scale will be administered 10 minutes after the chest tube removal.

    A satisfaction scale related to the chest tube removal procedure has been created for the patients. They will be asked to rate their satisfaction between 0 and 10. On the patient satisfaction scale, a score of 0 indicates 'Not satisfied at all,' while a score of 10 indicates 'Very satisfied'.

  4. Patient comfort level

    Time frame: The comfort level is asked to the patient 10 minutes after chest tube removal for both the control and VR groups

    It is a scale ranging from 0 to 10 points. One end of the scale indicates 'maximum comfort,' while the other end indicates 'maximum discomfort.' The number marked reflects the level of comfort. On the Comfort Scale, a score of 0 indicates the 'most comfortable state,' while a score of 10 indicates the 'most uncomfortable state.' Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (discomfort)

  5. Vital Signs- Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

    Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.

    Peripheral Oxygen Saturation is measured via pulse oximetry, reflecting potential changes in respiratory function due to pain and anxiety. Normal saturation levels are generally considered 95% and above.

  6. Vital Signs- Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

    Time frame: 10 minutes before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after chest tube removal.

    Systolic Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), reflecting the effects of pain and stress on the cardiovascular system. Diastolic Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), reflecting the effects of pain and stress on the cardiovascular system. Normal systolic pressure is generally considered less than 120 mmHg. Normal diastolic pressure is generally considered less than 80 mmHg.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ayça Uzun

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905376087592

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Uskudar University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Nature Sounds in a Virtual Reality Forest During Chest Tube Removal on Pain, Vital Signs, Comfort, and Patient Satisfaction

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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