Realidade virtual como estratégia para reduzir dor, desconforto respiratório, ansiedade e depressão em pacientes hospitalizados por Covid-19: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

In 2020, the world was surprised with the spread and mass contamination by the new Coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to a pandemic, deaths and several sequels to the survivors. COVID-19 produces symptoms ranging from a common cold to severe symptoms that can lead to death. Alternatives have been implemented in order to increase the well-being of patients during their hospitalization process and virtual reality has been used for several procedures in the hospital environment, however it remains unclear whether patients hospitalized by COVID- 19 can benefit of this feature. The aim of this study is to investigate whether virtual reality contributes to the control of pain symptoms, sensation of dyspnea, perception of well-being, anxiety and depression in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This study is a randomized, double blind, clinical trial. As a result, there was a significant difference for the outcomes of tiredness, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression and well-being, obtaining results similar to studies that used virtual reality as a resource. Based on the results presented, it can be stated that virtual reality is a resource that can help control the symptoms of tiredness, shortness of breath, anxiety and depression in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.