Evaluation of the effects of virtual reality glasses and breathing exercises on symptoms and quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment

Background and Aim: Patients undergoing hemodialysis frequently suffer from a variety of treatment-related symptoms, which decreases their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality glasses and breathing exercises on symptoms and quality of life among patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Material and Methods: This randomized controlled research was conducted between October 25, 2022, and September 03, 2024, with 138 patients receiving hemodialysis treatment in the hemodialysis clinic of a university hospital, dialysis units of a training and research hospital and a state hospital, and two private hemodialysis clinics. Patients were divided into three groups: virtual reality glasses, respiratory exercise, and a control group using a randomization table. SPSS package program Version 27 was used to evaluate the data. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods: ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Tukey's post-hoc test, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact chi-square test, Bonferroni test, and multiple regression model analyses. Significance was accepted as at least p <0,05. Results: In the comparison between the groups, in the evaluation made in the first and second weeks after the application, it was found that general health, physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environmental quality of life were statistically significantly better in the patient group who used virtual reality glasses (p <0,05). In the intragroup evaluation of the patients in the deep breathing exercise and virtual reality glasses groups, it was found that the change in the general health, physical health, and psychological health-related quality of life was statistically significant (p <0,05). In the evaluation of dialysis symptoms in the first week after the application, it was found that the symptoms of dry mouth, chest pain, and feeling irritable were statistically significantly less in the virtual reality glasses group compared to the breathing exercise and control groups (p <0,05). When the relationship between the independent variables of the model and the dependent variable was examined, it was found that patients who applied virtual reality glasses had a higher quality of life related to physical and psychological health. Conclusion: This study found that deep breathing exercises and virtual reality glasses had positive effect on henodialysis patients' quality of life. It was determined that symptoms such as dry mouth, chest pain, and feeling irritable were less common in patients using virtual reality glasses. Virtual reality glasses and deep breathing exercises are recommended to improve the quality of life of and reduce various symptoms of patients receiving hemodialysis. Keywords: Hemodialysis, quality of life, hemodialysis symptoms, virtual reality glasses, respiratory exercise Financial Support: This study was supported by the Trakya University Scientific Research Projects Unit. Project No. 2021/160.