Media Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan
Vol. 36 No. 2 (2026): MEDIA PENELITIAN DAN PENGEMBANGAN KESEHATAN

The effect of intradialytic virtual reality on reducing anxiety and depression in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis

Nieniek Ritianingsih (Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia)
Farial Nurhayati (Poltekkes Kemenkes Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia)
Asep Kuswandi (Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Tasikmalaya, Indonesia)
Lia Herliana (Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Tasikmalaya, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis often experience physical and psychological problems, including anxiety and depression, due to disease progression and its complications. Intradialytic virtual reality (VR) exercise is a non-pharmacological intervention that uses immersive three-dimensional technology to distract patients and potentially reduce psychological distress. Objective: To examine the effect of intradialytic VR on anxiety and depression levels in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This quantitative study used a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design and was conducted at PMI Hospital, Bogor, in 2025. A total of 76 respondents were recruited using purposive sampling and divided equally into intervention and control groups (38 each). Inclusion criteria were adult hemodialysis patients who were cooperative, hemodynamically stable, and willing to participate. Patients with complications or unstable conditions were excluded. The intervention group received intradialytic VR twice weekly for 4 weeks. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Data were analyzed using dependent and independent t-tests. Results: Intradialytic VR significantly reduced anxiety and depression levels in the intervention group compared with the control group (p=0.0001). The mean post-intervention difference between groups was 10.77 for anxiety and 10.03 for depression. Conclusion: Intradialytic VR is a promising nursing intervention for reducing anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients with psychosocial problems.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jmp2k

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Dentistry Environmental Science Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Media of Health Research and Development is a journal that was developed to disseminate and discuss scientific papers on health development and other research of health. The journal is intended as a medium of communication for those who were interested to study health, among others, for researchers, ...