Femoral catheter removal after coronary angiography is a common clinical procedure that may cause pain, anxiety, and changes in vital signs in patients. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly used to improve patient comfort and safety during invasive procedures.

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR) application on pain, anxiety, and vital signs during femoral catheter removal in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality group or a control group receiving routine care. Patients in the intervention group experienced a virtual reality application during femoral catheter removal, while the control group received standard clinical care.

Pain intensity, anxiety levels, and vital signs were assessed before, during, and after the procedure. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based nursing practice by supporting the use of virtual reality as a safe and effective non-pharmacological method to reduce discomfort during femoral catheter removal.

Coronary angiography is a widely used diagnostic procedure in cardiology, and femoral arterial access remains common in many clinical settings. Removal of the femoral catheter following the procedure is frequently associated with pain, anxiety, and physiological responses such as changes in blood pressure and heart rate. These symptoms may negatively affect patient comfort and overall procedural experience.

Virtual reality (VR) is a non-pharmacological intervention that provides immersive audiovisual stimulation and has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety by diverting attention and promoting relaxation. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness during femoral catheter removal after coronary angiography remains limited.

This single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of virtual reality on pain intensity, anxiety levels, and vital signs during femoral catheter removal in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality intervention group or the control group. Patients in the intervention group received a virtual reality application during femoral catheter removal, while patients in the control group received routine clinical care.

Data were collected using a patient information form, a visual analog scale for pain assessment, a standardized anxiety assessment tool, and vital signs monitoring. Measurements were obtained before, during, and after femoral catheter removal. The results of this study aim to provide evidence supporting the integration of virtual reality into nursing care practices to enhance patient comfort and improve the quality of care during invasive cardiovascular procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Ability to speak and understand Turkish
• Undergoing elective coronary angiography with femoral arterial access
• Planned femoral sheath removal
• Hemodynamically stable vital signs
• No psychiatric, cognitive, visual, or hearing impairment
• No administration of analgesics for any reason prior to sheath removal

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of analgesics for chronic pain prior to the procedure
• Impaired orientation to time or place
• Use of anxiolytic and/or sedative medications

Individual participant data will not be shared due to ethical restrictions and to protect participant confidentiality. The data are used solely for the purposes of this study.