NCT07272486

The Use of Virtual Reality and Music Therapy for Hypertensive Urgency

Effect of Virtual Reality and Classical Music Therapy on Blood Pressure and Anxiety in Patients With Hypertensive Urgency

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 130 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate whether virtual reality (VR) and classical music therapy, when added to standard antihypertensive treatment, can improve blood pressure control and reduce anxiety in patients presenting to the emergency department with hypertensive urgency. Patients with primary hypertension and no signs of end-organ damage will be randomly assigned to receive either standard treatment alone or standard treatment combined with VR and classical music. Blood pressure will be monitored at multiple time points over a 120-minute period, and anxiety will be assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). The study seeks to determine if these non-pharmacological interventions can enhance the effectiveness of routine management of hypertensive urgency.

Detailed description

Hypertensive urgency is characterized by severely elevated blood pressure without evidence of acute target-organ damage. Standard management typically involves the gradual reduction of blood pressure using oral antihypertensive agents such as captopril. Emotional stress and anxiety can contribute to elevated sympathetic activity, potentially worsening blood pressure control. Virtual reality (VR) environments and classical music therapy have been shown in prior studies to reduce stress, improve patient comfort, and modulate physiological responses. In this randomized controlled study, patients with primary hypertension who present to the emergency department with hypertensive urgency will be assigned to one of two groups: standard pharmacological treatment alone or standard treatment combined with VR exposure and classical music therapy. The intervention will be delivered in a quiet and dimly lit room, and blood pressure will be measured at predefined intervals over 120 minutes. Anxiety levels will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the monitoring period using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). This study aims to determine whether VR and classical music can enhance routine management by improving blood pressure reduction and decreasing anxiety levels during acute hypertensive episodes. Findings may support the incorporation of non-pharmacological strategies into the emergency management of hypertensive urgency.

Conditions

• Hypertensive Urgency
• Primary Hypertension

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Captopril 25Mg Tab	This drug is administered to participants in both study arms. Standard oral antihypertensive treatment with 25 mg captopril is given at baseline. Additional 25 mg doses may be administered at 30 and 60 minutes if ≥25% MAP reduction is not achieved. Rescue therapy with IV nitrate may be used after 90 minutes according to routine emergency department protocol
DEVICE	Virtual Reality Exposure	This intervention is administered only to participants in the 'Standard Treatment + VR and Classical Music Therapy' arm. Participants view a calming virtual environment of their choice using a non-proprietary VR headset.The session is delivered concurrently with standard antihypertensive treatment in a quiet, dimly lit room
BEHAVIORAL	Classic Music Therapy	This intervention is administered only to participants in the 'Standard Treatment + VR and Classical Music Therapy' arm. Participants listen to one of several selected classical music pieces at a comfortable volume (40-60 dB) during the VR exposure. Music therapy is applied simultaneously with standard antihypertensive treatment to support relaxation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-01
• Primary completion: 2025-07-31
• Completion: 2025-09-30
• First posted: 2025-12-09
• Last updated: 2026-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)