Effects of a Virtual Reality Game or Autogenic Relaxation on Pruritus, Anxiety and Dermatologic Quality of Life in Haemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of a virtual reality game or autogenic relaxation on pruritus, anxiety and dermatological quality of life in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Background: Pruritus is a prevalent and disturbing symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease that causes a scratching behaviour with a vicious itch-scratch cycle. Design: This is a randomized controlled study. Methods: The study was conducted with 47 participants at two haemodialysis centres between December 2021 and February 2022. The participants in the intervention group were informed about virtual reality games (n: 15) or autogenic relaxation (n: 16). Data collection was performed face-to-face with the 5-D Itch Scale, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and Dermatology Quality of Life Index in the first and third haemodialysis sessions in the first week and in the last sessions of the fifth and seventh weeks. Results: Scores of both intervention groups for the 5-D Itch Scale and State–Trait Anxiety scores decreased significantly in the fifth and seventh weeks, and Dermatology Quality of Life Index scores decreased significantly in the fifth week compared to the control group. Conclusion: Both virtual reality games and autogenic relaxation interventions, undertaken 1 day before haemodialysis sessions, reduce pruritus and anxiety symptoms and increase dermatologic quality of life. Trial Registration: This study was registered in the Clinical Trials protocol registry system (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04289038).