Purpose: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) technology in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients, focusing on cardiopulmonary function, quality of life, adherence, and satisfaction. Methods: Conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025643632), this study systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 to assess the impact of VR interventions on cardiopulmonary function, quality of life (QOL), adherence, and satisfaction compared to conventional CR programs. Results: Twenty studies were included. Meta-analysis revealed that VR improved the 6 min walk test distance (MD: 34.9, 95% CI: 24.43, 45.37; p < 0.00001, I² = 67%) and QOL (SMD: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.09, 1.17; p = 0.002, I² = 86%). However, evidence regarding adherence and satisfaction was inconclusive. Conclusions: VR technology outperforms traditional CR in enhancing cardiopulmonary function and quality of life. While it might improve patient adherence, further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Objectives: To determine the prognostic value of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, which serves as a surrogate for insulin resistance, for heart failure rehospitalization and all-cause mortality in older adults with chronic heart failure, and to evaluate its clinical utility in risk stratification and nursing care. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 786 patients aged ≥65 years with chronic heart failure hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital in Central China (January 2022–January 2025) were included and divided into low vs. high TyG index groups based on the median. Baseline data were extracted from medical records. Follow-up ended in December 2025. Associations between TyG index and adverse outcomes were examined using Kaplan–Meier curves, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The median TyG index was 8.35. In unadjusted analyses, the high-TyG group had significantly greater cumulative risks of heart failure rehospitalization (p < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (p = 0.028). After multivariable adjustment, the TyG index remained independently associated with heart failure rehospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.63), whereas its association with all-cause mortality was attenuated and no longer significant. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear dose–response relationship between the TyG index and heart failure rehospitalization, and a linear relationship with all-cause mortality. Conclusions: In elderly patients with chronic heart failure, the TyG index independently predicted heart failure rehospitalization and demonstrated a nonlinear dose–response relationship; its independent association with all-cause mortality was not significant after full adjustment. The index may nonetheless aid in risk stratification and individualized nursing in this population.

Objective: To investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) technology on pain and anxiety in hospitalized pediatric patients undergoing Peripheral Venous Catheterization. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Between July and December 2024, eligible pediatric inpatients aged 5–14 years from the Chegu Branch of Wuhan Union Hospital were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The control group received routine care during peripheral venous catheterization, including health education and psychological comfort. The intervention group, in addition to routine care, used VR headsets to watch age-appropriate game videos, with each VR session lasting 10–15 min. The primary outcome measure was patient-reported pain levels, with anxiety as a key secondary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included catheterization time, heart rate, patient satisfaction with nursing procedures, and usability evaluation of the VR equipment. Results: A total of 80 pediatric patients were enrolled, with 40 in the VR group (mean age 8.05 ± 2.60 years) and 40 in the control group (mean age 8.63 ± 2.50 years). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis showed a significant interaction effect between group and time for pain (Wald χ² = 7.091, p = 0.029), while no significant interaction was found for anxiety (Wald χ² = 0.971, p = 0.615). Before peripheral venous catheterization, there was no significant difference in pain and anxiety scores between the two groups of pediatric patients (p > 0.05). Patients in the VR group reported significantly reduced pain (β = −0.78; 95% CI, −1.40 to −0.15; p = 0.015) during catheterization, and overall anxiety scores were also lower in the VR group (β = −0.43; 95% CI, −0.77 to −0.08; p = 0.016), although the group by time interaction for anxiety was not significant. The intervention group also demonstrated a lower peak heart rate (107.67 ± 16.25 beats/min vs. 115.25 ± 29.53 beats/min; p = 0.047) and a shorter procedure duration [110 (100, 120) seconds vs. 120 (110, 123.5) seconds; p < 0.001]. Operator satisfaction with the nursing procedure was also significantly higher in the intervention group (95.0% vs. 72.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: VR significantly reduces pain and anxiety in hospitalized pediatric patients during peripheral venous catheterization.