The main objective of this project is to develop a virtual reality platform to offer an integral therapeutic alternative based on the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits aimed at improving the physical, nutritional, psychological and cognitive condition of each patient. The idea is to develop a low-cost technological system that can be implemented in haemodialysis wards, allowing each patient to undergo the intervention while receiving dialysis treatment.

This project, funded with more than 300.000 euros, started its activity in September, and the first phase has already begun. It involves an exhaustive exploratory study of the needs and difficulties of patients in the different levels of intervention of the platform, in order to design exercises according to their needs. Specifically, the researchers involved in the project, members of the Department of Psychobiology of the University of Valencia, are leading the development of psychological and cognitive intervention strategies. In general, issues related to mental and cognitive health of chronic patients remain without clinical attention, so having a system that allows working on these areas is of special relevance for these patients, as the importance of mental health in the disease process has been demonstrated. It is important to consider the degree of technological innovation of the project, which involves using virtual strategies aimed at the comprehensive treatment of chronic patients, which will allow, in the future, its application at hospital level for treating other pathologies.

Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10% of the world’s population. Between 40-50% of those affected are over 65 years of age, so the disease often increases the risk of many other age-related pathologies, such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life for those affected.

The European GoodRenal project, financed by the Erasmus+ programme, was born out of this reality. It involves the collaboration of research teams from different European entities, including the University of Valencia, together with the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the CEU-Cardenal Herrera University and the Manises Hospital. International partners include Skånee University Hospital and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Sports Medicine in Greece. The project is ongoing and ends in August 2023 but the platform is expected to be developed in late 2021 or early 2022.