Effectiveness of a virtual reality relaxation to correct symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional and cognitive disorders in patients with heart failure

Abstract

Aim. To study the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) relaxation to correct symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional and cognitive disorders in patients with heart failure (HF).Material and methods. The study included 100 patients with HF aged 21 to 83 years. A main group of 58 people was randomly selected, each of whom received a course of 5 daily VR sessions of a relaxation program. Patients in the control group underwent VR sessions containing distracting visual images without a relaxation program. During the study, mental status of all patients was assessed using questionnaires sensitive to the cognitive and emotional areas.Results. After completing five daily VR sessions with a relaxation program, patients with HF noted a decrease in stress (p=0,031) and improved sleep (p=0,002), and 2 days after completing the VR course — improved well-being (p=0,006), mood (p=0,001), sleep (p=0,003) and decreased stress (p=0,005). In addition, patients in the main group had improved daily activities (p=0,004), pain/discomfort (p=0,007), anxiety/depression (p=0,016) and general well-being (p=0,009).Conclusion. VR relaxation is effective for reducing stress, improving mental status and cognitive functioning in patients with HF.

Keywords

• heart failure
• mental status
• cognitive impairment
• virtual reality