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Virtual Reality-Based Breathing Yoga Before Chest Tube Removal After Cardiac Surgery

The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Breathing Yoga Before Chest Tube Removal on Pain and Anxiety in Patients After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07794709
Enrollment
52
Registered
2026-08-31
Start date
2024-08-10
Completion date
2025-01-01
Last updated
2026-08-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anxiety, Chest Tube Removal, Pain After Surgery

Keywords

Virtual Reality, Breathing Yoga, Cardiac Surgery, Pain, Anxiety, Nonpharmacological Intervention

Brief summary

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-based breathing yoga applied before chest tube removal on pain and anxiety in patients after cardiac surgery. A total of 52 patients with chest tubes were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=26) or a control group (n=26). Patients in the intervention group watched breathing yoga videos through virtual reality glasses for 15-20 minutes before chest tube removal, while patients in the control group received standard care. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and anxiety was assessed using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. Pain and anxiety levels were evaluated before and after chest tube removal.

Detailed description

Chest tube removal after cardiac surgery may cause pain and anxiety. Non-pharmacological approaches such as virtual reality and breathing-based relaxation techniques may help improve patient comfort during invasive procedures. This prospective, parallel, two-arm, single-center randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of virtual reality-based breathing yoga before chest tube removal in patients who had undergone cardiac surgery. Eligible participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received a 15-20-minute virtual reality-based breathing yoga intervention before chest tube removal in addition to standard care. Participants in the control group received standard care without the virtual reality intervention. Pain and state anxiety were assessed before and after chest tube removal using the Visual Analog Scale and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, respectively.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALVirtual Reality-Based Breathing Yoga

Participants watched breathing yoga videos through virtual reality glasses for 15-20 minutes before chest tube removal. The intervention was provided in addition to standard postoperative care.

Sponsors

Sennur Kula Şahin
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the virtual reality-based breathing yoga group or the standard care control group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 18-70 years * Underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery * Willing to participate in the study * Mobilized and extubated on the second postoperative day * Able to communicate without cognitive, sensory, or verbal impairment * No diagnosed psychiatric disorder * No vertigo * No diagnosis of hypertension and not receiving antihypertensive treatment * Not receiving sedative or anxiolytic medication * No major intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as severe bleeding, nausea, or vomiting

Exclusion criteria

\- Remained intubated on the second postoperative day

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in State Anxiety Level30 minutes before chest tube removal and 15 minutes after chest tube removalState anxiety was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale (STAI-I). The scale consists of 20 items and yields a total score ranging from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating higher levels of state anxiety.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Pain Intensity30 minutes before chest tube removal and 15 minutes after chest tube removalPain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants indicated their perceived pain intensity on a line anchored from "no pain" to "very severe pain," with higher values indicating greater pain intensity.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 1, 2026