Does Virtual Reality Improve Symptom Burden in Dialysis Patients?
- Conditions
- Virtual RealityDialysis
- Interventions
- Other: virtual reality therapy
- Registration Number
- NCT06250582
- Lead Sponsor
- David Blum
- Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the use of virtual reality therapy in dialysis patients. The main question it aims to answer is: Does virtual reality improve symptom burden in dialysis patients and improve their mental wellbeing? Over a period of one month, one virtual reality therapy session of 30 minutes will be performed during each regular hemodialysis session. Since we will conduct a monocentric, crossover randomized controlled trial, the participants act as their own control group.
- Detailed Description
Hemodialysis is a lifesaving therapy for patients with end stage kidney disease but comes with a high burden of physical and emotional symptoms that lower quality of life in dialysis patients. Dialysis mediated complications such as drops in blood pressure, nausea and muscle cramps results in refusal and a negative perception of this treatment. In dialysis patients, treatment-related burden results in deterioration in health related quality of life. During the past few years, Virtual reality (VR) has become more affordable and found its way into households as entertainment electronics but stepwise also into medicine. VR enables the user to view, interact and be immersed in a multisensory 3D virtual world. The aim of the current study is to reduce dialysis-related burden of symptoms by using virtual reality therapy during regular dialysis sessions and thereby improve quality of life among dialysis patients.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 20
- Older than 18 years;
- in treatment with thrice-weekly hemodialysis sessions;
- regular hemodialysis duration of three to five hours
- having no visual impairment
- having no acoustic deficit
- patient must be capable of speaking and understanding German or English
- no signs of cognitive impairment
- patient oriented in time and space
- being able to give informed consent as documented by signature
- diagnosis of epilepsy
- current pregnancy
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description standard of care, then virtual reality therapy virtual reality therapy During the control phase (B) participants will be treated according to standard of care over a period of one mont. After a washout phase of one week, participants will run through an intervention phase (A) and will receive virtual reality therapy during their dialysis sessions. Also for a period of one month. Subjects will be randomized to an AB or BA sequence. virtual reality therapy, then standard of care virtual reality therapy During the intervention phase (A) participants will receive virtual reality therapy during their dialysis sessions over a period of one month. After a washout phase of one week, participants will run through a control phase (B, standard of care) also for a period of one month. Subjects will be randomized to an AB or BA sequence.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Reduction of symptom burden of dialysis patients and improvement of their mental wellbeing 10 weeks questionnaire
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Evaluation of the effects of virtual reality therapy during hemodialysis on blood pressure 10 weeks Blood pressure (mm Hg)
To assess the acceptability and appropriateness of using VRT during hemodialysis from the perspectives of patients 10 weeks questionnaire
To assess the acceptability and appropriateness of using VRT during hemodialysis from the perspectives of clinical staff 10 weeks questionnaire
Evaluation of the effects of virtual reality therapy during hemodialysis on heart rate 10 weeks Heart rate (beats per minute)
To test the internal consistency of the ESAS-r: Renal Score 10 weeks Cronbach's alpha
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University Hospital Zurich
🇨🇭Zürich, ZH, Switzerland