Pain Manag Nurs. 2025 Sep 27:S1524-9042(25)00271-1. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2025.09.002. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effect of auditory distraction and virtual reality (VR) on pain severity and physiological indicators during burn dressing changes among adult patients.
DESIGN: A single-center, randomized controlled trial.
METHODS: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned to the auditory distraction (n = 20), VR (n = 20), and control (n = 20) groups. All patients in the three groups received intravenous morphine at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg body weight, 15 minutes prior to the dressing change. The auditory distraction group listened to music during the dressing, while the VR group used a headset to view nature images throughout the dressing procedure. Data collection tools were the numeric pain scale, a checklist form of the physiological Indicators, and a pulse oximetry device.
RESULT: Statistically significant differences in pain severity were observed among the VR, auditory distraction, and control groups during dressing changes (p < .05). Despite all patients receiving intravenous morphine (0.05 mg/kg), both interventions led to greater pain reduction. Oxygen saturation and respiratory rates also differed significantly across groups (p < .05), with posthoc analysis confirming that both interventions were equally effective and superior to standard care.
CONCLUSIONS: This study’s findings demonstrated that auditory distraction was as effective as VR techniques in reducing fluctuations in physiological indicators and pain severity during dressing changes in adult patients.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nonpharmacological interventions can serve as effective adjuncts alongside pharmacological treatments in pain management nursing.
PMID:41016886 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmn.2025.09.002
