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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07704008

The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses Applied to Hemodialysis Patients on Vital Signs and Anxiety Level

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Kidney Failure Anxiety Disorders Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Hemodialysis Kidney Diseases Male Urogenital Diseases Mental Disorders Renal Insufficiency Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital

Ankara, 06200, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Receiving hemodialysis treatment for the first time.
  • Age ≥18 years.
  • No visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment.
  • Able to communicate effectively.
  • Clinically stable.
  • No diagnosed psychiatric disorder or use of psychiatric medication.
  • No history of seizures.
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous hemodialysis treatment.
  • Age <18 years.
  • Visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment.
  • History of kidney transplantation.
  • Communication difficulties.
  • Diagnosed psychiatric disorder or use of psychiatric medication.
  • History of seizures.
  • Declined to participate in the study.

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Glasses

Device

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.

Standard Hemodialysis Care

Other

Participants received routine hemodialysis care according to the standard clinical practice of the dialysis unit without any additional intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Systolic Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in systolic blood pressure measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  2. Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in diastolic blood pressure measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  3. Change in Heart Rate

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in heart rate measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  4. Change in Respiratory Rate

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in respiratory rate measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  5. Change in Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  6. Change in Body Temperature

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    Change in body temperature measured before and after the hemodialysis session.

  7. State Anxiety Level After Hemodialysis

    Time frame: Immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain Score

    Time frame: Baseline (before the hemodialysis session) and immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    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.

  2. Participant Satisfaction Score

    Time frame: Immediately after completion of the hemodialysis session.

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 15, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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