Immersive virtual reality in a northern Queensland haemodialysis unit: Study protocol for a cross-over randomised controlled feasibility trial (ACTRN12621000732886)

Introduction: Despite being a life-preserving medical treatment, the demands of haemodialysis are a significant impost on individuals, posing considerable burdens on their work, vocational activities and involvement with family and community. This manuscript describes the protocol for a cross-over randomised controlled feasibility trial that will explore the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience for patients attending a northern Queensland Australia haemodialysis service and provide information to inform a future multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods: Participants in the trial will be patients who undergo haemodialysis three times/week at one of two dialysis units. During the 4-week intervention period (12 haemodialysis sessions), participants will be provided a headset with vision representative of the natural environment, and with audio. The 4-week control period will comprise usual activities, such as watching television, reading and sleeping. Outcomes will be measured by participants’: attendance at scheduled dialysis sessions; adherence to lifestyle modifications; wellbeing, anxiety and depression; acceptability and usability of VR; and adverse events such as nausea. The feasibility and acceptability of the intervention from the clinicians’ perspectives will also be explored. Discussion: To our knowledge this is the first RCT in Australia investigating the impact of an immersive VR experience for patients receiving haemodialysis.Trial registration: ACTRN12621000732886