The effect of virtual reality therapy training on Covid-19 anxiety in patients with hypertension in Corona pandemic

The present study was performed to examine the effect of virtual reality therapy training on Covid-19 anxiety in patients with hypertension in Corona pandemic.

Background:

In addition to numerous physical problems, Covid-19 has had many psychological consequences such as stress and anxiety, especially in the community of chronic patients, including patients with hypertension. Therefore, appropriate interventions to reduce Covid-19 anxiety in patients with hypertension are essential.

The present study was a quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all patients with hypertension referred to Ardakan Heart Clinic, Yazd, Iran. Using the available sampling method and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 people were selected and randomly allocated to experimental (n=30) and control (n=30) group. Both groups completed the Alipour’s et al. (1398) Covid-19 questionnaire in the pre-test and post-test stages. The experimental group received the training in 6 sessions of one hour duration. Then, both groups completed the research questionnaires again in the post-test stage. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 26 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

  After intervention, there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in terms of the mean scores of Covid-19 anxiety (P≤0.0001, F=110.807), psychological dimension of Covid-19 anxiety (P≤0.0001, F=78.30), and the physical dimension of Covid-19 anxiety (P≤0.0001, F=94.27).

  Implementing virtual education intervention program with the content of reality therapy can reduce anxiety and its psychological and physical dimensions in people with hypertension.