This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effects of virtual reality glasses used during hemodialysis on patients' vital signs and anxiety levels. A total of 56 adult patients receiving hemodialysis at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Patients in the experimental group watched a 4K virtual reality nature video with relaxing background music during hemodialysis, while the control group received standard hemodialysis care. Vital signs, pain, anxiety, and satisfaction were assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual reality intervention.
The research was designed and conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study to determine the effects of virtual reality glasses on the vital signs and anxiety levels of hemodialysis patients. The study population consisted of patients diagnosed with kidney failure who received hemodialysis at Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital between May 2023 and May 2024. A total of 56 patients who volunteered to participate and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. These patients were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups according to gender and type of renal failure (acute/chronic): an experimental group (n=28) and a control group (n=28). Patients in the experimental group watched a 4K virtual reality video featuring natural scenery accompanied by relaxing background music through virtual reality glasses during hemodialysis, whereas patients in the control group received standard hemodialysis care without any additional intervention. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Vital Signs Follow-up Form, Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), State Anxiety Scale, and Visual Analog Scale for Satisfaction (VAS-Satisfaction). Ethics committee approval, institutional permission, and written informed consent were obtained before the study was conducted.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
56
Participants wore virtual reality glasses at the start of the hemodialysis session and viewed a 4K nature video with calming background music for 15 minutes. The intervention was administered once during the hemodialysis session in addition to standard hemodialysis care.
Participants received routine hemodialysis care according to the standard clinical practice of the dialysis unit without any additional intervention.
Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Change in systolic blood pressure measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure
Change in diastolic blood pressure measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Heart Rate
Change in heart rate measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Respiratory Rate
Change in respiratory rate measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Change in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Body Temperature
Change in body temperature measured before and after the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
State Anxiety Level After Hemodialysis
State anxiety measured using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State), a 20-item questionnaire with total scores ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater levels of state anxiety. Assessment was performed immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Change in Pain Score
Change in pain score measured using the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS-P), a 0-10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain. Pain was assessed before and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Participant Satisfaction Score
Participant satisfaction with the virtual reality intervention measured using the Visual Analog Scale for Satisfaction (VAS-S), a 0-10 scale where 0 indicates not satisfied at all and 10 indicates completely satisfied. Higher scores indicate greater participant satisfaction. Assessment was performed immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.
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