VR headsets in the ER lower blood pressure and stress, doctors find

Emergency medicine specialists at Ankaha Bilkent City Hospital in Ankara tested VR headsets showing calming nature scenes plus classical music on 130 patients with hypertensive urgency. The VR group saw 12–15% greater drops in anxiety and blood pressure than controls on standard medication after 15–30 minutes, with the gap closing by 60 minutes.

• 130 patients with readings of 180/110 mmHg or higher split into VR and control groups
• VR nature scenes and classical music cut anxiety and blood pressure by 12–15%
• Effect was significant at 15–30 minutes; groups matched by 60 minutes
• Results presented at the EUSEM 2026 congress in Ankara