Study Shows Virtual Reality and Classical Music Reduce Blood Pressure in Emergency Patients

The randomized controlled trial involved 130 adult patients who presented with high blood pressure—180 mmHg or above systolic or 110 mmHg diastolic—without acute organ damage. Researchers observed that patients who wore VR headsets depicting peaceful natural scenes while listening to classical music composed by Bach, Mozart, and others experienced not only lower blood pressure but also a reduction in anxiety levels.

Dr. Safa Dönmez, the study's principal investigator and an associate professor at the University of Health Sciences in Ankara, Turkey, highlighted that this is believed to be the first study addressing the combined effects of VR and classical music on patients with elevated blood pressure in emergency settings. He noted that the stress and anxiety many patients experience can exacerbate their condition, leading to even higher blood pressure due to the release of stress hormones.

In the trial, patients were divided into an intervention group (65 patients) who experienced the VR and music treatment and a control group (65 patients) who received standard blood pressure medication alone. Both groups had their mean arterial pressure (MAP) monitored at multiple intervals—15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after treatment.

Initially, the MAP for control patients dropped from approximately 138 mmHg to 126 mmHg at 15 minutes and further to 119 mmHg at 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the VR group saw a decrease from 132 mmHg to 116 mmHg and then to 112 mmHg at the same intervals. Notably, the VR group experienced a greater percentage reduction in MAP compared to the control group.

Anxiety levels were measured using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), revealing that VR patients started with higher anxiety scores. After treatment, while both groups showed reduced anxiety, the VR group demonstrated a more significant decrease—from an average initial score of 46 to a notable improvement.

Dr. Kadir Yenal, an emergency medicine specialist involved in the study, emphasized that the VR group had a more substantial fall in blood pressure compared to the control group after 15 minutes. However, by the 60-minute mark, both groups exhibited similar blood pressure levels.

The study concluded that while the effects of VR and music were more pronounced in the early stages, its long-term benefits require further research. The authors plan to conduct additional studies across multiple hospitals with a focus on individual musical preferences and longer follow-up times to clarify the contributions of VR and music separately.

Dr. Felix Lorang, a member of the EUSEM abstract selection committee, noted that although this preliminary study was conducted at a single center, its findings invite more extensive investigation into the benefits of this combined treatment approach. He underscored that the method should supplement, rather than replace, traditional medication for blood pressure management.