VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETNCT07727291
The Effect of Virtual Reality Intervention and the Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Happiness
A study testing Experimental: VR group and Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group in people with VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET and BENSON RELAXATION TECHNIQUE, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study was conducted as a randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of virtual reality headset (VR) and the Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) on anxiety and happiness levels in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET, BENSON RELAXATION TECHNIQUE, ANXIETY
- What is being tested?
- Experimental: VR group and Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 180 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Dec 2024to 10 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients who had undergone bariatric surgery
- were 18 years of age or older- had no communication difficulties
- had no psychiatric disorders
- had not experienced any complications during or after surgery
- did not use any other non-pharmacological approaches during.
Who cannot join
- Patients under 18 years of age
- those using non-pharmacological methods during .
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Virtual Reality Intervention and the Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Happiness in the Period After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This study was conducted as a randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of virtual reality headset (VR) and the Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) on anxiety and happiness levels in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Read the detailed description
The study was conducted at the General Surgery Department of Fırat University Hospital between December 2024 and May 2026. The study population comprised all patients who underwent bariatric surgery at this centre, with a sample size of 180 patients (virtual reality headset group: n=60; Benson Relaxation Technique group: n=60; control group: n=60). The Patient Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Oxford Happiness Scale-Short Form were used to collect the data. No intervention was applied to the control group.
- Being tested
- Experimental: VR group, Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group
- Keywords
- Anxiety, bariatric surgery, Benson relaxation technique, happiness, virtual reality
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Experimental: VR groupBehavioural
Experimental: VR group Arm Description: The Patient Information Form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF were administered as pretests. Following the pretests, patients were shown a video of a nature scene using VR accompanied by nature sounds for an average of 20 minutes. A quiet environment was prepared before the virtual reality headset session to ensure patients could relax and remain focused. The researcher ensured hand hygiene and equipment disinfection throughout the session. The headset was adjusted to fit each patient's head circumference. Image clarity, lens settings, and sound levels were adjusted according to individual preferences. The intervention was administered twice daily-morning and evening-for three days during the postoperative period, totaling six sessions. Immediately following the final session, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were administered as posttests.
Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques groupBehavioural
Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group Arm Description: The patient information form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF pretest were administered. Patients were ensured to be in a comfortable position during the Benson Relaxation Technique session. The environment was prepared to be quiet, dimly lit, and free of distractions. Before beginning the relaxation exercise, patients were instructed to focus entirely on their breathing. The researcher provided the commands for the relaxation exercise in a tone of voice audible to the patients. Instructions: Choose a short sentence or a word that is meaningful to you and helps you focus your attention; close your eyes; relax all your muscles, starting with your feet and slowly moving upward through your muscle groups; breathe gently and naturally; as you exhale, silently repeat your focus word or sentence to yourself; tell yourself, "Everything is fine" and "I feel light, healthy, and energetic"; and calmly focus on your breath and your musc
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR group | Experimental | The Patient Information Form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF were administered as pretests. Following the pretests, patients were shown a video of a nature scene using VR accompanied by nature sounds for an average of 20 minutes. A quiet environment was prepared before the virtual reality headset session to ensure patients could relax and remain focused. The researcher ensured hand hygiene and equipment disinfection throughout the session. The headset was adjusted to fit each patient's head circumference. Image clarity, lens settings, and sound levels were adjusted according to individual preferences. The intervention was administered twice daily-morning and evening-for three days during the postoperative period, totaling six sessions. Immediately following the final session, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were administered as posttests. Receives: Behavioral: Experimental: VR group |
| Benson Relaxation Techniques group | Experimental | The patient information form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF pretest were administered. Patients were ensured to be in a comfortable position during the Benson Relaxation Technique session. The environment was prepared to be quiet, dimly lit, and free of distractions. Before beginning the relaxation exercise, patients were instructed to focus entirely on their breathing. The researcher provided the commands for the relaxation exercise in a tone of voice audible to the patients.
Instructions: Choose a short sentence or a word that is meaningful to you and helps you focus your attention; close your eyes; relax all your muscles, starting with your feet and slowly moving upward through your muscle groups; breathe gently and naturally; as you exhale, silently repeat your focus word or sentence to yourself; tell yourself, "Everything is fine" and "I feel light, healthy, and energetic"; and calmly focus on your breath and your muscles. Focus on relaxing and letting go until the instructions are Receives: Behavioral: Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group |
| Control group | No intervention | For patients in the control group, the data collection instruments were administered as a pretest. No intervention was performed on this patient group. Three days after the pretest, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were also administered to patients in the control group as a posttest. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form Tx - I)
This scale was developed by Spielberger et al. Its reliability and validity in Turkey were established by Öner and Le Compte . The scale's Cronbach's Alpha value is 0.83. The scale includes both direct and reverse-scored items. During scoring, the total weights for the direct and reverse-scored items are calculated separately; then, the total score for the direct items is subtracted from the total score for the reverse-scored items. The total score on the scale ranges from 20 to 80; a high score indicates a high level of anxiety, while a low score indicates a low level of anxiety.
Measured: two weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-Short Form (OHQ-SF)
A unidimensional questionnaire developed by Hills and Argyle to assess levels of happiness . The questionnaire was translated into Turkish by Doğan and Çötok. Scores on the questionnaire range from 7 to 35. A higher score indicates a higher level of happiness. The Cronbach's alpha value for the questionnaire was found to be 0.74 .
Measured: two weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2026
- Study start10 Dec 2024
- Primary completion10 Nov 2025
- Study completion10 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This randomised controlled experimental study
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dilek Güneş, Firat University
- Investigators
- DİLEK GÜNEŞ, associate professor, Principal investigator, Firat UniversityAcar, Study chair, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07727291
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- DGunes
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Virtual Reality Intervention and the Benson Relaxation Technique on Anxiety and Happiness in the Period After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07727291
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DGunes
- Keywords
- Anxiety, bariatric surgery, Benson relaxation technique, happiness, virtual reality
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study was conducted as a randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of virtual reality headset (VR) and the Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) on anxiety and happiness levels in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Detailed description
The study was conducted at the General Surgery Department of Fırat University Hospital between December 2024 and May 2026. The study population comprised all patients who underwent bariatric surgery at this centre, with a sample size of 180 patients (virtual reality headset group: n=60; Benson Relaxation Technique group: n=60; control group: n=60). The Patient Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Oxford Happiness Scale-Short Form were used to collect the data. No intervention was applied to the control group.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This randomised controlled experimental study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VR group | Experimental | Behavioral: Experimental: VR groupThe Patient Information Form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF were administered as pretests. Following the pretests, patients were shown a video of a nature scene using VR accompanied by nature sounds for an average of 20 minutes. A quiet environment was prepared before the virtual reality headset session to ensure patients could relax and remain focused. The researcher ensured hand hygiene and equipment disinfection throughout the session. The headset was adjusted to fit each patient's head circumference. Image clarity, lens settings, and sound levels were adjusted according to individual preferences. The intervention was administered twice daily-morning and evening-for three days during the postoperative period, totaling six sessions. Immediately following the final session, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were administered as posttests. |
| Benson Relaxation Techniques group | Experimental | Behavioral: Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques groupThe patient information form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF pretest were administered. Patients were ensured to be in a comfortable position during the Benson Relaxation Technique session. The environment was prepared to be quiet, dimly lit, and free of distractions. Before beginning the relaxation exercise, patients were instructed to focus entirely on their breathing. The researcher provided the commands for the relaxation exercise in a tone of voice audible to the patients. Instructions: Choose a short sentence or a word that is meaningful to you and helps you focus your attention; close your eyes; relax all your muscles, starting with your feet and slowly moving upward through your muscle groups; breathe gently and naturally; as you exhale, silently repeat your focus word or sentence to yourself; tell yourself, "Everything is fine" and "I feel light, healthy, and energetic"; and calmly focus on your breath and your muscles. Focus on relaxing and letting go until the instructions are |
| Control group | No intervention | –For patients in the control group, the data collection instruments were administered as a pretest. No intervention was performed on this patient group. Three days after the pretest, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were also administered to patients in the control group as a posttest. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients who had undergone bariatric surgery
- were 18 years of age or older- had no communication difficulties
- had no psychiatric disorders
- had not experienced any complications during or after surgery
- did not use any other non-pharmacological approaches during.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients under 18 years of age
- those using non-pharmacological methods during .
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: VR groupExperimental: VR group Arm Description: The Patient Information Form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF were administered as pretests. Following the pretests, patients were shown a video of a nature scene using VR accompanied by nature sounds for an average of 20 minutes. A quiet environment was prepared before the virtual reality headset session to ensure patients could relax and remain focused. The researcher ensured hand hygiene and equipment disinfection throughout the session. The headset was adjusted to fit each patient's head circumference. Image clarity, lens settings, and sound levels were adjusted according to individual preferences. The intervention was administered twice daily-morning and evening-for three days during the postoperative period, totaling six sessions. Immediately following the final session, the STAI Form Tx-I and OHQ-SF were administered as posttests. | Behavioural | VR group |
| Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques groupExperimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group Arm Description: The patient information form, STAI Form TX-I, and OHQ-SF pretest were administered. Patients were ensured to be in a comfortable position during the Benson Relaxation Technique session. The environment was prepared to be quiet, dimly lit, and free of distractions. Before beginning the relaxation exercise, patients were instructed to focus entirely on their breathing. The researcher provided the commands for the relaxation exercise in a tone of voice audible to the patients. Instructions: Choose a short sentence or a word that is meaningful to you and helps you focus your attention; close your eyes; relax all your muscles, starting with your feet and slowly moving upward through your muscle groups; breathe gently and naturally; as you exhale, silently repeat your focus word or sentence to yourself; tell yourself, "Everything is fine" and "I feel light, healthy, and energetic"; and calmly focus on your breath and your musc | Behavioural | Benson Relaxation Techniques group |
Primary outcome
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form Tx - I)
Time frame: two weeks
This scale was developed by Spielberger et al. Its reliability and validity in Turkey were established by Öner and Le Compte . The scale's Cronbach's Alpha value is 0.83. The scale includes both direct and reverse-scored items. During scoring, the total weights for the direct and reverse-scored items are calculated separately; then, the total score for the direct items is subtracted from the total score for the reverse-scored items. The total score on the scale ranges from 20 to 80; a high score indicates a high level of anxiety, while a low score indicates a low level of anxiety.
1 secondary outcome
Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-Short Form (OHQ-SF)
Time frame: two weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
DİLEK GÜNEŞ, associate professor principal investigator
Firat University
Acar study chair
Firat University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Experimental: VR group and Experimental: Benson Relaxation Techniques group in people with VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET and BENSON RELAXATION TECHNIQUE, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form Tx - I) (time frame: two weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Aug 2026.