Virtual reality and distraction cards to reduce pain during intramuscular benzathine penicillin injection procedure in adults: A randomized controlled trial

Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using three-dimensional videos with virtual reality glasses and distraction cards including optical illusion pictures on patients' pain and satisfaction levels during intramuscular benzathine penicillin injection. Design A randomized controlled trial. Method The study population consisted of 91 patients who were prescribed intramuscular benzathine penicillin medication. The participants were stratified by gender and assigned to three groups (control, virtual reality and distraction cards groups). The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain and patient satisfaction. A one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's post hoc tests were used to compare the pain and satisfaction levels by group. Results The mean pain was 6.67 (2.17) in the control group, 4.4 (2.71) in the distraction cards group and 4.93 (3.07) in the virtual reality group and the difference was statistically significant (F = 5.84, p < .01). The average of the satisfaction levels in the groups was 3.57 (2.23) in the control group, 7.13 (2.86) in the distraction cards group and 8.07 (2.55) in the virtual reality group. The difference between the satisfaction levels was statistically significant (F = 25.77, p < .01). Conclusion The three-dimensional videos with virtual reality glasses and distraction cards including optical illusion pictures were effective in reducing pain associated with intramuscular benzathine penicillin injection and increasing patient satisfaction. Impact The results of this study will contribute to evidence-based nursing practices for the pain associated with intramuscular benzathine penicillin injection. Clinical Trial Registry NCT04420559.