Surgical Drain Removal: Pain and Anxiety Management
Turkey (Türkiye)60 participantsStarted 2023-04-01
Plain-language summary
Background: Surgical drain removal may cause pain and anxiety in patients after bariatric surgery. Virtual reality may reduce procedure-related discomfort by directing attention away from painful stimuli. This study evaluated the effect of virtual reality on pain and state anxiety during surgical drain removal after bariatric surgery.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 adult patients who underwent bariatric surgery in a private hospital in Kocaeli, Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to a virtual reality group or a control group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the intervention group watched a standardized 360° nature video using virtual reality goggles before and during drain removal, while patients in the control group received routine care. Pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Pain Scale, and anxiety was evaluated using the State Anxiety Inventory. Outcomes were measured before and immediately after drain removal. The collected data were statistically analyzed.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Being 18 years of age or older.
. Not having any psychiatric illness, dizziness, vision, hearing, or perception problems.
. Being willing to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria
. Use of painkillers before the procedure.
. Use of anxiety medication before the procedure.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial looked at using virtual reality to manage pain and anxiety during surgical drain removal — is VR distraction something that could realistically be offered to me when my drain comes out, or is it not yet available at this hospital?
2Since this study used a numerical pain rating scale and a state anxiety scale to measure outcomes, what do the results actually show — did patients who used VR report meaningfully less pain or anxiety compared to those who didn't?
3Drain removal is something I've heard can be quite uncomfortable — based on what this trial found, would you recommend VR as a non-drug option for me, or are there other non-pharmacological approaches you think would work better for my situation?
4Because this trial is now completed, has the evidence been published or reviewed yet, and does it change how your team currently handles pain and anxiety management during drain removal?
5If VR isn't available or doesn't turn out to be right for me, what other options — whether medication-based or not — are typically used to keep patients comfortable during surgical drain removal?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.