Effect of Virtual Reality on Cannulation-Related Procedural Pain, Distress and Comfort Level in Hemodialysis Patients

Tarsus University

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Hemodialysis, Virtual Reality

Treatments: Device: Virtual Reality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07281144

2024/106

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to determine the effects of virtual reality on procedural pain, distress and comfort levels during cannulation in hemodialysis patients.

Full description

Background Virtual reality is a non-pharmacological method that reduces pain and distress and increases comfort by diverting a patient's attention. This allows individuals to gain self-control and relax during medical procedures.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of virtual reality on procedural pain, distress and comfort levels during cannulation in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: This randomized controlled study included a total of 52 patients, who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=26) or the control group (n=26). Patients in the intervention group received virtual reality glasses during the procedure in addition to standard routine care, while the control group received standard routine care only. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Distress Thermometer (DT), and the Hemodialysis Comfort Scale. Statistical analysis was performed with the level of significance set at p<0.05.

Enrollment: 52 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• patients aged 18 years and older
• who had been receiving hemodialysis treatment via AVF for four-hour sessions three times per week for at least six months
• had a pain score of 0 according to the VAS before the procedure
• were not using any psychiatric medicatio
• voluntarily agreed to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Patients were excluded if they had a diagnosed mental health disability,
• language barriers
• were using analgesic drugs within eight hours prior to the hemodialysis session
• a history of epilepsy, vertigo, anxiety, active nausea, vomiting, or headaches
• regular use of painkillers
• chronic pain disorders
• previous experience with virtual reality.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

control group

No Intervention group

Description:

The routine cannulation procedure was applied to the patients in the control group. Apart from this, no additional intervention was implemented. Each patient's pain was evaluated and recorded by a nurse independent of the study during the procedure (1st measurements) with VAS and after the procedure (2st measurements). Similarly, the patient's distress was evaluated with Distress Thermometer and recorded before (1st measurements) and after the procedure (2st measurements) by a nurse independent of the study. HDCS of the patients were evaluated and recorded and immediately after the procedure was completed.

Virtual Reality

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention utilized VR-SHINECON and headsets, which were cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectant wipes before use for each patient. Patients in the intervention group were offered a choice of various nature, forest, and seaside walk videos with thematic music. The VR intervention commenced approximately three minutes before the cannulation procedure and continued until the procedure was complete. During the procedure, the patient's pain was evaluated and recorded by an independent nurse (referred to as the 1st measurement).Immediately after the procedure was completed, the patient removed the VR glasses. The Visual analogue scale, DT and Hemodialysis Comfort Scale were then assessed and recorded by the independent nurse (referred to as the 2nd measurements).

Treatment:

Device: Virtual Reality