An interventional study of Virtual Reality Headset in Coronary Angiography (CAG), Anxiety and Pain, sponsored by Koç University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-19.
Sponsored by Koç University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This study investigated whether virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is a common cardiac procedure performed under local anesthesia while patients remain awake, which can cause significant pain and anxiety.
Adult patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two groups: one group watched a nature-themed VR video during the procedure, while the control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured before and after the procedure using validated scales.
The findings of this study may help healthcare providers offer a simple, non-pharmacological method to improve patient comfort during coronary angiography.
Coronary angiography is one of the most frequently performed invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures. Although the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, patients remain conscious throughout, and procedural pain and anxiety are commonly reported. Non-pharmacological interventions to manage these symptoms are increasingly being explored as adjuncts to standard care.
Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that engages the user's visual and auditory senses, potentially distracting patients from procedural discomfort. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of VR on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.
Patients were randomized into two groups using a sealed envelope method. The VR group watched a pre-selected nature-themed video through a VR headset throughout the procedure. The control group received standard care without any additional intervention. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the procedure.
The study was conducted at a cardiology unit in Istanbul, Turkey, and was approved by the institutional ethics committee (Approval No: 2019-84). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.
4,868 studies on the registry are indexed under Anxiety Disorders; 1,390 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 90 is above the median of 80 across 4,174 interventional studies indexed under Anxiety Disorders.
Browse Anxiety Disorders studies →Koç University is the lead sponsor of 106 studies on the registry; 36 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants watched a nature-themed virtual reality video through a VR headset throughout the coronary angiography procedure in addition to standard care.
Device: Virtual Reality Headset
Participants received standard care without any additional intervention during coronary angiography.
Participants in the VR group wore a virtual reality headset and watched a pre-selected nature-themed video throughout the coronary angiography procedure. The VR intervention was applied in addition to standard care and was maintained for the entire duration of the procedure.
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
Time frame: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
State-Trait Anxiety Level Measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)
Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which measures state anxiety (STAI-S) and trait anxiety (STAI-T). State anxiety reflects current anxiety levels, while trait anxiety reflects general anxiety disposition. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Time frame: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Koç University