Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) training uses computer-generated simulations that enable users to engage with immersive virtual environments, simulating real-world activities or therapeutic exercises. This technology is increasingly recognized as a promising intervention to ad...
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| Format: | Article |
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JMIR Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e58384 |
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| author | Xin Kang Yiping Zhang Chaonan Sun Jiaxin Zhang Zhe Che Jinhui Zang Rongzhi Zhang |
| author_facet | Xin Kang Yiping Zhang Chaonan Sun Jiaxin Zhang Zhe Che Jinhui Zang Rongzhi Zhang |
| author_sort | Xin Kang |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) training uses computer-generated simulations that enable users to engage with immersive virtual environments, simulating real-world activities or therapeutic exercises. This technology is increasingly recognized as a promising intervention to address the physical and psychological challenges faced by dialysis patients, who frequently experience diminished physical function, social isolation, and emotional distress associated with prolonged treatment regimens. Given the increasing prevalence of dialysis patients and the limitations of conventional rehabilitation approaches, VR presents a novel, interactive method that has the potential to enhance patient well-being and improve quality of life.
ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR training interventions for dialysis patients, with a focus on assessing their impact on motor abilities, psychological symptoms (specifically anxiety and depression), social functioning, and self-efficacy. This analysis also explores whether VR can offer comprehensive benefits to support both the physical and mental health of dialysis patients.
MethodsThe meta-analysis was conducted following Cochrane guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed across major databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature database, Cochrane library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase, encompassing all studies up to December 2023. Inclusion criteria targeted studies assessing VR’s impact on motor performance, psychological well-being, social functioning, and self-efficacy in dialysis patients. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality using Cochrane’s risk of bias criteria, ensuring data synthesis reliability.
ResultsA total of 12 studies, involving 625 dialysis patients in total, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that VR training led to significant improvements across multiple domains. VR interventions were associated with improved physical capacity, evidenced by higher scores in the 6-minute walk test (standardized mean difference [SD]=29.36, 95% CI 14.32-44.4, P<.001, I2=46%). VR training was associated with significant reductions in depression (SD=–6.30, 95% CI –7.14 to –5.47, P<.001, I2=96%) and anxiety (SD=–8.91, 95% CI –9.69 to –8.14, P<.001, I2=95%). In addition, VR interventions enhanced social functioning (SD=16.20, 95% CI 14.49-17.9, P<.001, I2=72%), and improved self-efficacy (SD=20.47, 95% CI 18.55-22.39, P<.001, I2=99%). However, VR training did not yield significant differences in gait speed, balance, or functional tests (Ten Sit-to-Stand Test, Five Sit-to-Stand Test, Sixty Sit-to-Stand Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and fatigue) compared with control groups.
ConclusionsThe findings suggest that VR training is a promising intervention for dialysis patients, providing benefits in physical endurance, social engagement, and psychological well-being. Despite these advantages, VR remains underused among peritoneal dialysis patients compared with hemodialysis patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes and more refined experimental designs are recommended to validate these results and support VR as a complementary tool in the holistic care of dialysis patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbc33a14a5c0480197fe1ae350bde371 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
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| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbc33a14a5c0480197fe1ae350bde3712025-01-08T16:00:34ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-01-0127e5838410.2196/58384Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisXin Kanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-2573-6565Yiping Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-8122-516XChaonan Sunhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-8319-7256Jiaxin Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-5010-3730Zhe Chehttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-1800-941XJinhui Zanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-1418-3546Rongzhi Zhanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-2127-3687 BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) training uses computer-generated simulations that enable users to engage with immersive virtual environments, simulating real-world activities or therapeutic exercises. This technology is increasingly recognized as a promising intervention to address the physical and psychological challenges faced by dialysis patients, who frequently experience diminished physical function, social isolation, and emotional distress associated with prolonged treatment regimens. Given the increasing prevalence of dialysis patients and the limitations of conventional rehabilitation approaches, VR presents a novel, interactive method that has the potential to enhance patient well-being and improve quality of life. ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR training interventions for dialysis patients, with a focus on assessing their impact on motor abilities, psychological symptoms (specifically anxiety and depression), social functioning, and self-efficacy. This analysis also explores whether VR can offer comprehensive benefits to support both the physical and mental health of dialysis patients. MethodsThe meta-analysis was conducted following Cochrane guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed across major databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature database, Cochrane library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase, encompassing all studies up to December 2023. Inclusion criteria targeted studies assessing VR’s impact on motor performance, psychological well-being, social functioning, and self-efficacy in dialysis patients. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality using Cochrane’s risk of bias criteria, ensuring data synthesis reliability. ResultsA total of 12 studies, involving 625 dialysis patients in total, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that VR training led to significant improvements across multiple domains. VR interventions were associated with improved physical capacity, evidenced by higher scores in the 6-minute walk test (standardized mean difference [SD]=29.36, 95% CI 14.32-44.4, P<.001, I2=46%). VR training was associated with significant reductions in depression (SD=–6.30, 95% CI –7.14 to –5.47, P<.001, I2=96%) and anxiety (SD=–8.91, 95% CI –9.69 to –8.14, P<.001, I2=95%). In addition, VR interventions enhanced social functioning (SD=16.20, 95% CI 14.49-17.9, P<.001, I2=72%), and improved self-efficacy (SD=20.47, 95% CI 18.55-22.39, P<.001, I2=99%). However, VR training did not yield significant differences in gait speed, balance, or functional tests (Ten Sit-to-Stand Test, Five Sit-to-Stand Test, Sixty Sit-to-Stand Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and fatigue) compared with control groups. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that VR training is a promising intervention for dialysis patients, providing benefits in physical endurance, social engagement, and psychological well-being. Despite these advantages, VR remains underused among peritoneal dialysis patients compared with hemodialysis patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes and more refined experimental designs are recommended to validate these results and support VR as a complementary tool in the holistic care of dialysis patients.https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e58384 |
| spellingShingle | Xin Kang Yiping Zhang Chaonan Sun Jiaxin Zhang Zhe Che Jinhui Zang Rongzhi Zhang Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving Outcomes for Dialysis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of virtual reality training in improving outcomes for dialysis patients systematic review and meta analysis |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e58384 |
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