Effects of Virtual Reality on Sleep Quality and Mental Well-being

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination and sclerotic plaques in the brain and spinal cord. Physical and psychological symptoms occur depending on the affected area. Environmental, viral, genetic and autoimmune factors are thought to play a role in the formation of MS disease, the etiology of which is still unknown. It ranks first among non-traumatic central nervous system diseases that cause disability in young adults. The disease is more common in women.

The disease is clinically seen in four types. These; relapsing-remitting (RRMS), primary progressive (PPMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and relapsing progressive (RPMS) types.

A wide variety of symptoms occur in MS patients due to demyelination and inflammation. It causes loss of abilities such as motor disorders, cerebellar disorders, bladder-intestinal disorders, sensory disorders, cognitive disorders, emotional disorders and balance-coordination disorders. Apart from these, it has been shown that many social and psychological problems accompany these symptoms.

Mental disorders are more common in MS than in other neurological diseases. The resulting physical and mental disorders negatively affect the mental well-being of patients.

The risk of sleep problems is also increased in MS patients. It has been shown in the literature that MS patients have increased sleep problems compared to the general population and individuals with other chronic diseases. It has been reported that the incidence of sleep problems is between 25-54%. Controlling sleep problems of MS patients will improve their quality of life.

Virtual reality is alternative worlds in which a person can move as if he were living in any environment. In these virtual worlds, control is completely in the hands of the practitioners. For this reason, it allows the design of individual-specific environments and the application over and over again. Apart from that, it is a safe and interesting method. It is a method that can be applied with tools such as glasses, computers, headphones and sensors. Today, it is preferred in the treatment and rehabilitation of many neurological and chronic diseases.

There are different methods used to improve mental state and sleep quality in MS patients. This study will investigate whether the use of virtual reality glasses affects the mental well-being and sleep quality of patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (any type)
• Not being in an MS attack period
• Being between the ages of 18-80
• Having the level of awareness to maintain healthy communication
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Having impaired cognitive functions at a level that prevents maintaining healthy communication and responding to data collection forms.
• Being in an MS attack phase
• Being diagnosed with sleep apnea or any sleep disorder
• Using sleeping pills
• Having a major psychiatric disorder
• Working a night shift job
• Having visual impairment
• Being younger than 18 or older than 80
• Not volunteering to participate in the study