Virtual Reality for Depression in Kidney Failure
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new virtual reality (VR) treatment called Joviality™ to improve the emotional well-being of people undergoing hemodialysis, a treatment for kidney failure. Participants will use VR to engage in positive psychological exercises during their dialysis sessions, aiming to reduce depression and enhance quality of life. The trial compares this immersive VR experience to a control group viewing non-immersive, relaxing nature scenes, known as Inert Virtual Reality. Individuals who have been on dialysis for at least three months and experience symptoms of depression may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative treatments that could significantly improve emotional health during dialysis.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using virtual reality for therapy, so it's likely you can continue your medications, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.
What prior data suggests that this virtual reality platform is safe for individuals on hemodialysis?
Research has shown that using virtual reality (VR) for psychological treatment in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is generally safe and well-tolerated. In earlier studies, a 5-week program using VR for positive psychological support showed promise without major safety concerns. The VR sessions last about 30 minutes and occur while patients are seated for their regular HD treatments, avoiding extra physical strain.
Participants in similar studies have not reported serious side effects from using VR. Some may initially experience mild discomfort or dizziness, but these feelings usually decrease as they become accustomed to VR. Overall, the treatment has maintained a good safety record based on observations so far.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about Joviality(TM) because it uses virtual reality (VR) to deliver a unique psychological intervention for depression in patients with kidney failure. Unlike standard drug therapies or traditional counseling, this treatment immerses participants in engaging VR environments during their dialysis sessions. Each week introduces new skills like mindfulness and gratitude through interactive 30-minute sessions, making the experience both therapeutic and entertaining. This innovative approach not only addresses mental health but also integrates seamlessly into patients' existing treatment schedules without adding extra time or effort.
What evidence suggests that this virtual reality treatment is effective for depression in kidney failure?
Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can help reduce depression symptoms in mental health treatment. Studies have found that people on hemodialysis (HD) with high depression levels might benefit from VR-based therapy. Specifically, VR training has proven more effective in lowering depression symptoms than traditional methods. Positive mental health exercises delivered through VR reportedly improve outcomes for depression and anxiety. In this trial, participants will receive either the VR platform Joviality(TM), which may enhance emotional well-being in people on HD, or an inert VR experience as a control.13678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Rosalba Hernandez, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 21 who have been on hemodialysis (HD) for at least three months and are experiencing depression, as indicated by a score of ≥11 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Participants must be able to see and hear well enough to engage with a virtual reality environment and must speak English or Spanish.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a 5-week positive psychological intervention delivered using a VR platform during regularly scheduled hemodialysis sessions.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Inert Virtual Reality
- Joviality(TM)
Trial Overview
The study is testing a new virtual reality software called Joviality(TM), designed to deliver positive psychological therapy to HD patients. It's compared against an inert VR experience in a randomized controlled trial, aiming to improve emotional well-being, quality of life, treatment adherence, reduce hospitalizations, and prove feasibility.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
VR-delivered JovialityTM Sessions: Treatment Group. Participants will interact with a newly-developed VR environment over a 5-week period, during regularly scheduled maintenance HD treatment. Each week, enrollees will be introduced to a new skill, all taught in distinctive VR environments-with immersive sessions lasting no more than 30 minutes. The investigators' 5-week positive psychological intervention covers the following topics: (1) noticing positive events, (2) amplifying positive events, (3) gratitude, (4) behavioral activation, (5) mindfulness/meditation, (6) positive reappraisal, (7) personal strengths, and (8) acts of kindness. Delivery of intervention content will require VR immersion for no more than 30 minutes during each HD session (i.e., 30-min. sessions thrice weekly). VR immersion will only occur chairside when patients are already sedentary and in a seated position during regularly scheduled HD treatment, thus avoiding increased sedentarism.
Participants randomized to the control arm will receive a rigorous placebo following clinical trial guidelines of VR-CORE, which consists of 2-dimensional (2D) non-immersive visual content displayed on the head-mounted display. Footage of wildlife and nature-based settings are visually displayed as part of the 'Sham' VR with inert music that does not promote high levels of relaxation or distraction. The 'Sham' VR experience has very passive features, such that it mimics viewing content on a large flat screen television. Passive viewing during the 'Sham' VR experience rotates content using twenty different videos and has a duration time that is matched to that of JovialityTM over the 5-week intervention period.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lead Sponsor
Northwestern University
Collaborator
University of Illinois at Chicago
Collaborator
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Collaborator
Citations
Positive Psychological Intervention Delivered Using Virtual ...
We hypothesize that depressive symptoms and hemodialysis-related markers of disease will substantially improve in participants randomized to the VR-based ...
Virtual Reality in Hemodialysis to Improve Psychological ...
As such, more than 30% of individuals on HD experience elevated symptoms of depression-and, research shows that comorbid depression is associated ...
Impact of virtual reality exercises on anxiety and ...
The research showed that regular physical activity using virtual reality may be associated with a reduction in the occurrence of anxiety and depression ...
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training in Improving ...
The results show that patients undergoing VR training had lower depression symptoms compared with the control group, indicating that VR was ...
Positive Psychological Intervention Delivered using Virtual ...
Recent studies support VR's efficacy in mental health interventions, reporting positive outcomes for conditions such as depression [40, 41] and psychosis [42].
6.
experts.illinois.edu
experts.illinois.edu/en/publications/positive-psychological-intervention-delivered-using-virtual-reali/Positive Psychological Intervention Delivered Using Virtual ...
We hypothesize that depressive symptoms and hemodialysis-related markers of disease will substantially improve in participants randomized to the VR-based ...
Virtual Reality Mindfulness and Personalized Exercise for ...
Virtual Reality Mindfulness and Personalized Exercise for Patients on Hemodialysis with Depressive Symptoms: A Feasibility Study.
The Impact of Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming and Casual ...
Virtual reality gaming in healthcare Patients on hemodialysis (HD) typically experience symptoms including weariness, nausea, dizziness, and ...
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