This study aims to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality glasses application on sleep quality, anxiety, and vital signs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled intervention study with 50 patients (25 experimental and 25 control) in the 2nd and 3rd level general intensive care units of Kayseri State Hospital. Patients in the experimental group received a 30 minute virtual reality session every evening for one week, while the control group received routine care. Sleep quality was assessed daily using the Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale, and anxiety levels were measured using the Beck Anxiety Scale. Vital signs were recorded before and after each VR session.

The research was conducted as a randomized control group intervention study to determine the effect of virtual reality glasses application on sleep quality, anxiety and vital signs in COPD patients in intensive care. The sample of the study consisted of 50 patients (25 experimental and 25 control) who were diagnosed with COPD and met the study criteria in the 2nd and 3rd Level General ICU at Kayseri State Hospital between 29 November 2022 and 2 February 2024. In this study, for which ethics committee, institutional permission and participant approval were obtained, data were collected using virtual reality glasses, Patient Information Form, Vital Signs Follow-up Form, Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale and Beck Anxiety Scale. In the research, virtual reality glasses were applied to the patients in the experimental group for 30 minutes every evening at 23.30 for a week. Vital signs were measured immediately before and after the application and recorded in the Vital Signs Followup Form. Sleep quality was evaluated every day for a week with the RichardCampbell Sleep Scale. Anxiety levels were measured on the first and seventh days with the Beck Anxiety Scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Conscious and oriented, able to cooperate
• Aged 18 years and older
• Diagnosed with COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2022 criteria (Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IV)
• Hospitalized in the intensive care unit for at least 24 hours in order to evaluate sleep problems
• No history of psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment
• No complaints such as migraine, dizziness, active nausea, vomiting, or headache
• No visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score less than -1
• Patients receiving invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation

Discontinuation Criteria:

• Experience problems with the virtual reality headset or report feeling unwell during the intervention
• Initiation of any medication that affects sleep
• Requirement for intubation
• Initiation of medication for anxiety or sedation
• Need for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BPAP) during the virtual reality intervention