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Effects of Virtual Reality in Patients Undergoing Dialysis: Study Protocol
Francesco Burrai1, Shokri Othman, Elena Brioni
1Education, Research and Organizational Change, ATS Sardegna, Sassari, Italy (Dr Burrai); Imperial College London, United Kingdom (Mr Othman); San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy (Ms Brioni); University of Sassari, Telti (SS), Italy (Ms Micheluzzi); Departments of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (Dr Luppi) and Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (Dr La Manna), University of Bologna, Italy; SIAN Research Center, Bologna, Italy (Mr Apuzzo); and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy (Dr Delli Zotti).
Holistic Nursing Practice
|May 3, 2019
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) can enhance the quality of life for hemodialysis patients by creating immersive experiences. This study investigates VR
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Technology
- Psychology
Background:
- Hemodialysis is perceived as a slow, repetitive treatment negatively impacting patients' quality of life.
- Patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience negative emotional and cognitive perceptions.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a potential solution to improve patient experience during treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as an intervention to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- To assess the impact of VR on patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety, fatigue, and pruritus.
- To measure physiological parameters including arterial pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate during hemodialysis sessions with VR.
Main Methods:
- An Italian multicenter, randomized, pre-post test study with parallel groups and 1:1 allocation.
- 186 patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis were randomized into an experimental VR group and a standard care control group.
- Outcomes including anxiety, fatigue, pruritus, vital signs, and session duration were measured over 1 month (12 sessions).
Main Results:
- The study protocol is the first international experimental examination of VR in hemodialysis patients.
- Statistically and clinically significant differences in outcomes are anticipated.
- VR is hypothesized to be a beneficial, evidence-based, holistic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Virtual reality may serve as a complementary and synergistic intervention to standard hemodialysis care.
- VR has the potential to humanize chronic, repetitive treatments.
- This approach could significantly improve the quality of life for patients undergoing hemodialysis.
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