The Effect of Virtual Reality Applications

Thyroid nodules are a common health problem in the adult population. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the standard diagnostic procedure for evaluating suspected thyroid nodules. Although FNAB is generally considered a safe and minimally invasive procedure, it may cause pain, anxiety, and fear. In addition, patients are instructed not to speak or cough during the procedure, and the biopsy may need to be repeated if an insufficient specimen is obtained, which can further increase psychological distress. Therefore, effective non-pharmacological interventions may help improve patient comfort during the procedure. Distraction is a widely used non-pharmacological pain management strategy that reduces patients' perception of pain and distress by redirecting their attention away from the procedure. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive distraction technique that has shown promise in reducing procedure-related discomfort in various clinical settings. This open-label randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual reality on pain as the primary outcome and anxiety and fear of pain as secondary outcomes in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of suspected thyroid nodules.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a suspected thyroid nodule scheduled to undergo ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. * No history of dizziness or vestibular disorders. * No visual impairment that would interfere with the use of a virtual reality headset. Exclusion Criteria: • Cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions that would interfere with study participation or the use of a virtual reality headset.