Virtual reality during dressing changes for pressure ulcers to reduce pain, anxiety, and improve satisfaction

Effects of Virtual Reality Application on Pain, Anxiety, and Patient Satisfaction in Dressing Patients With Pressure Sores: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Cukurova University · NCT07114003

We will try using virtual reality headsets during dressing changes to reduce pain, lower anxiety, and improve satisfaction for adults with pressure ulcers.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment62 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCukurova University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Mersin, Tarsus)
Trial IDNCT07114003 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with pressure ulcers who meet eligibility criteria will use a virtual reality application while their wound dressings are changed, and pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction will be measured. The intervention excludes people with visual or hearing impairment, epilepsy, vertigo, claustrophobia, or those who develop cybersickness or require analgesia during the procedure. Outcomes will be recorded using standard pain and anxiety scales and patient satisfaction ratings taken around the dressing procedure. The trial is run at Tarsus University (Mersin, Tarsus) and is led by Cukurova University with Toros University as a collaborator.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) with pressure ulcers who can safely use VR (no relevant sensory impairments, epilepsy, vertigo, or claustrophobia) and who agree to participate are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with neuropathic loss of pain sensation, those who require analgesia during the intervention, or those who experience cybersickness or withdraw from VR use are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, VR could make dressing changes less painful and stressful and increase patient comfort and willingness to follow wound care.

How similar studies have performed: Previous VR work in chronic wound care and other procedures has shown pain and anxiety reductions, but evidence specifically for dressing changes in pressure ulcers is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants will be individuals aged 18 and over (inclusive), who have no hearing/visual impairment, do not have epilepsy, vertigo, or claustrophobia, and who agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who exhibit symptoms of cybersickness (dizziness, nausea, etc.) due to the VR application, who require analgesia during the intervention, or who do not feel pain due to neuropathy, and who express their wish to withdraw from the study will be excluded from the study.

Where this trial is running

Mersin, Tarsus

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pressure WoundsVirtual RealityPainAnxietyPatient Satisfaction
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.