Anxiety, Cervical Cancer Screening, Nurse's Role, Pain Management
Conditions
Keywords
virtual reality, pap smear, pain, anxiety, Cervical Cancer Screening
Brief summary
This randomized controlled pretest-posttest experimental study aims to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) on pain and anxiety levels experienced during Pap smear sampling. Although cervical cancer is largely preventable through regular screening, many women avoid Pap smear testing due to anxiety, fear of pain, and discomfort during gynecological examinations. Innovative, non-invasive interventions are needed to improve women's screening experiences and participation rates. The study will be conducted in a gynecology outpatient clinic with 60 women aged 18-65 years who meet the inclusion criteria and provide informed consent. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (VR headset during the procedure) or the control group (standard care). Women in the intervention group will watch a 360° relaxing nature video during the Pap smear procedure. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The findings may support integrating VR into clinical practice to enhance patient comfort during screening procedures.
Detailed description
This study was planned as a randomized controlled, pretest-posttest true experimental design to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR) application on pain and anxiety levels experienced by women during Pap smear sampling. Although cervical cancer is preventable, it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Despite the availability of regular screening programs, many women are reluctant to undergo Pap smear testing due to factors such as pain, anxiety, and concerns about privacy during gynecological examinations. Therefore, there is a need for innovative and non-invasive methods to reduce negative experiences during the procedure. The study will be conducted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Gazimağusa Yaşam Hospital. The sample will consist of 60 women aged 18-65 years who meet the inclusion criteria and voluntarily agree to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (VR headset applied) or the control group (standard care) using a simple randomization method. Women in the intervention group will watch a 360° relaxing nature video through a virtual reality headset during the Pap smear procedure. The control group will receive the standard clinical procedure. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, the State Anxiety Inventory, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Anxiety levels will be assessed before and after the procedure, and pain levels will be evaluated after the procedure. The findings are expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of virtual reality in reducing pain and anxiety during Pap smear procedures and to contribute to evidence-based practices aimed at increasing women's participation in cervical cancer screening programs.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALVirtual Reality
Participants will watch a 360° relaxing nature video through a VR headset during the Pap smear procedure.
Sponsors
Eastern Mediterranean University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants will be blinded to the study hypothesis. The intervention group will receive virtual reality during the Pap smear procedure, while the control group will receive standard care.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the virtual reality intervention group or the control group. Women in the intervention group will receive virtual reality distraction during the Pap smear procedure, while the control group will receive standard care. Pain and anxiety levels will be compared between the groups.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged 18-65 years * Scheduled for a Pap smear procedure * Able to communicate in Turkish * Able to understand and complete the study questionnaires * Willing to provide written informed consent * No visual or hearing impairment preventing the use of a VR headset
Exclusion criteria
* History of severe motion sickness or vertigo * Diagnosed psychiatric disorder affecting anxiety assessment * Use of anxiolytic or sedative medication within 24 hours prior to the procedure * Presence of acute pelvic pain or active vaginal infection * Previous participation in this study * Any condition preventing safe use of a VR headset
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain level during Pap smear procedure | Immediately after completion of the Pap smear procedure (within 5 minutes post-procedure). | Pain intensity experienced during the Pap smear procedure will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity. |
| State anxiety level | Immediately before the procedure and immediately after the procedure. | Anxiety level will be assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory before and after the Pap smear procedure. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety levels. |
Contacts
CONTACTArzu Abiç, PhD
CONTACTBuse Güney
Outcome results
None listed