Virtual Reality and Eye Masks to Reduce Pain After Heart Surgery

After heart bypass surgery, patients often experience significant pain and anxiety during wound dressing changes. This study is testing two non-medication approaches—virtual reality headsets showing nature scenes and simple eye masks—to see if they can help reduce that pain and anxiety during the first two dressing procedures after surgery. Researchers will compare these approaches to standard care to understand which works best.

Pain and anxiety during wound care after heart surgery can slow recovery, increase stress on the body, and lead to longer hospital stays and more pain medication use. This study exists to find simple, drug-free ways to help patients feel calmer and experience less pain during this uncomfortable but necessary part of healing.