Community Health Journal

Community Health Journal

Comparison of the Effect of Virtual Reality with Aromatherapy on the Feeling of Comfort and Physiological Parameters in Patients Undergoing Angiography

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
N Rajaei Lak 1
M Kazemi 2
A Esmaeili Nadimi 3
M Safarian Nematabad 4
Ahmad Reza Sayyadi 5
Mohammad Mahdi Siahkoohi 6
M Rabiei 7
1 MSc in Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
2 Prof, Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery Rafsanjan University of Medical ‎Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
3 Prof., Dept. of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
4 Associate Prof., Dept. of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
5 Associate Prof,Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery Rafsanjan University of Medical ‎Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
6 BSc Nursing, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
7 MSc in Computer Architecture, Education Affairs, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Rafsanjan, Iran
10.22123/chj.2026.569206.2251
Abstract
Introduction: Angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases; however, anxiety caused by this procedure reduces hemodynamic stability and comfort of patients. The use of safe non-pharmacological interventions can play an effective role in reducing patients' stress responses. The present study aimed to compare the effect of virtual reality and aromatherapy on the feeling of comfort and physiological parameters of patients undergoing angiography.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design on 105 patients undergoing angiography at Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Rafsanjan in 2025. Participants were selected via convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into three groups based on age and gender (virtual reality, aromatherapy, and control). Interventions were performed from 10 minutes before to immediately after angiography. No intervention was performed in the control group. Physiological parameters (Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation) and comfort level were measured in three stages (before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the intervention). Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, a questionnaire assessing physiological parameters, and a visual comfort scale. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.
Findings: The results showed that both interventions significantly stabilized heart rate and blood pressure (p<0.05). Aromatherapy had a more prominent effect on reducing respiratory rate (p<0.05). Virtual reality significantly improved comfort levels and increased arterial blood oxygen saturation compared to the other groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Virtual reality and aromatherapy, as non-pharmacological, safe, and feasible interventions, can help stabilize physiological parameters and improve the sense of comfort of patients undergoing angiography. It is suggested that these interventions be considered as part of routine nursing care before angiography.
Keywords
Angiography
Virtual Reality
Aromatherapy
Comfort
Physiological Parameters
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Community Health Journal
Volume 19, Issue 3
Winter 2026
Pages 1-13