Patients undergoing hemodialysis often grapple with heightened anxiety, a challenge exacerbated by the prospect of surgical procedures. A recent study explored the potential of virtual reality (VR) in mitigating anxiety levels among hemodialysis patients before invasive surgeries, shedding light on a novel approach to enhance patient well-being. This study was published in the journal BMC Nephrology by Tahereh Hosseini and colleagues.

Physiological changes and psychological tensions associated with hemodialysis contribute to anxiety and depression in patients. Recognizing the need for effective interventions, this study delved into the impact of virtual reality experiences on anxiety levels before surgical procedures in hemodialysis patients.
Conducted in 2022 at Imam Khomeini General Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, the study involved 30 hemodialysis patients. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups, with the experimental group receiving additional VR content alongside routine training. Virtual reality experiences covered the entire surgical process, from entering the operating room to post-surgery. Anxiety levels were assessed using a validated anxiety inventory.
Key Findings:
Prior to the intervention, anxiety scores showed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups.
Following the virtual reality intervention, both state and trait anxiety significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P-value < 0.01).
The study concludes that the application of virtual reality significantly reduces anxiety in hemodialysis patients facing invasive surgical procedures. Given the profound impact of anxiety on these patients, incorporating virtual reality into pre-surgery preparations is suggested as a valuable strategy to improve overall well-being.
Reference:
Hosseini, T., Hooshmandja, M., Noaparast, M., Mojtahedzadeh, R., & Mohammadi, A. Virtual reality exposure therapy to decrease anxiety before surgical invasive procedures in hemodialysis patients: an interventional study. BMC Nephrology,2024;25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-024-03461-w