The Effect of Using Virtual Reality Glasses on Pain During Fistula Cannulation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: Fistula cannulation is performed very frequently for hemodialysis patients. Cannulation carried out repeatedly causes significant pain. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of watching videos with virtual reality glasses on reducing the pain during fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients. Methods: The study was carried out with a total of 47 patients. The patients in the intervention group were shown a video for about five minutes during the procedure using virtual reality glasses as the intervention. The control group patients went through only the standard cannulation procedure. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the first pain measurement scores of the intervention and control groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean pain score of the patients in the intervention group. Also, when the first and second pain measurements were compared within the groups, the second measurement scores were statistically significantly lower than the first in the intervention group. Conclusion: The study results revealed that virtual reality can reduce the pain experienced during fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients.