The Effect of Virtual Museum Visit on Dialysis Symptoms and Anxiety in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Complementary treatment methods support medical treatment in symptom control. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of virtual museum visits on dialysis symptoms and anxiety in hemodialysis patients. METHOD: This randomized controlled trial included 60 participants (intervention group = 30, control group = 30). In the intervention group, a passive immersive virtual reality based virtual museum intervention was applied during hemodialysis sessions. Participants viewed pre-recorded museum environments through virtual reality glasses without interaction. The intervention was administered once weekly for five consecutive weeks (30 min per session). The control group received routine hemodialysis care only. Data were collected using a Patient Information Form, the Dialysis Symptom Index and the Beck Anxiety Inventory Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. RESULTS: The mean Dialysis Symptom Index and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores decreased more in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, improvements in symptoms such as feeling uncomfortable, irritability, fatigue/decreased energy, bone/joint pain, muscle pain, and nausea were greater in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Within-group analyses showed significant reductions in both Dialysis Symptom Index and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores in the intervention group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Virtual museum visits using VR technology may be a supportive intervention for reducing dialysis-related symptoms and anxiety levels in hemodialysis patients. Further studies with larger samples and more robust designs are recommended to confirm these findings.