Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Anxiety, and Fear During Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a commonly used diagnostic procedure in patients with suspected thyroid cancer; however, it may induce pain, anxiety, and fear during the procedure.

This open-label randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) on pain as the primary outcome and anxiety and fear of pain as secondary outcomes in patients undergoing thyroid FNAB.

The study was conducted between January 19, 2025, and April 30, 2025, at Gaziantep City Hospital, Türkiye. A total of 100 patients with suspected thyroid nodules were randomly assigned to either a VR intervention group (n=50) or a control group (n=50). Data were collected using a patient information form, the visual analog scale (VAS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III).