Resumen de Investigación
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Virtual Reality Shows No Improvement in Sleep Quality for Diabetic Patients

Última actualización 12 de julio de 2026

Key finding

More patients improved after VR compared to usual care (V = 21, p = 0.03).

This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in improving sleep quality among patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy. Results indicated no significant differences in sleep metrics between VR and usual care, except for a higher impression of change in patients using VR.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) in improving sleep quality among patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy. Results indicated no significant differences in sleep metrics between VR and usual care, except for a higher impression of change in patients using VR.

Clinical relevance

Improving sleep quality in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy is crucial, as poor sleep can exacerbate pain and negatively impact overall health. This study suggests that while VR may not improve sleep metrics significantly, it could enhance patients' perceptions of their condition, indicating a potential area for further research and development in pain management strategies.

Keep in mind

Small sample size limits generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Lack of blinding could introduce bias in self-reported outcomes.

Published in

Referencia de la Revista

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Lisa G, Ann DS, Julie J, et al. Efficacy of Virtual Reality in Improving Sleep Quality in Patients with Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024;13(23):7163. doi:10.3390/jcm13237163

Efectos Principales

Sleep efficiency did not differ between usual care and VR (p = 0.81).

Number of awakenings did not differ between usual care and VR (p = 1).

More patients reported an impression of change after VR compared to usual care (V = 21, p = 0.03).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Virtual Reality (VR) and Anxiety score, Average number of awakenings at 6 months, Depression score, and 6 more.

Primary intervention

Virtual Reality (VR)

Primary outcomes

  • Anxiety score
  • Average number of awakenings at 6 months
  • Depression score

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

9
Evidence pairs
9
Relationships
0
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 50

0

Related topics

9

Evidence pairs

0

Related studies

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 9 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 0 direct semantic evidence topics

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Evidencia principal

Relación de evidencia

Virtual Reality Interventions and Quality of Life Outcomes

Evidencia relacionada

Relación de evidencia

Virtual Reality Interventions and Mental Health

Guardar evidencia

Relación de evidencia

Virtual Reality Interventions and Sleep Outcomes

Guardar evidencia

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Anxiety score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Anxiety score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Anxiety score

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Average number of awakenings at 6 months

Virtual Reality (VR) → Average number of awakenings at 6 months

Virtual Reality (VR) → Average number of awakenings at 6 months

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Depression score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Depression score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Depression score

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insomnia Severity

Virtual Reality (VR) → Insomnia Severity

Virtual Reality (VR) → Insomnia Severity

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Pain Catastrophizing Level

Virtual Reality (VR) → Pain Catastrophizing Level

Virtual Reality (VR) → Pain Catastrophizing Level

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Pain Intensity Score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Pain Intensity Score

Virtual Reality (VR) → Pain Intensity Score

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Patients' Impression of Change in Condition

Virtual Reality (VR) → Patients' Impression of Change in Condition

Virtual Reality (VR) → Patients' Impression of Change in Condition

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Sleep efficiency

Virtual Reality (VR) → Sleep efficiency

Virtual Reality (VR) → Sleep efficiency

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Sleep quality

Virtual Reality (VR) → Sleep quality

Virtual Reality (VR) → Sleep quality

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 2 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

La Evidencia Sugiere

  • No significant differences in sleep metrics between VR and usual care.
  • 3 patients reported improvement in impression of change after VR (p = 0.03).
  • All other psychological and pain-related outcomes showed no significant differences.
who this applies

A quién se aplica

  • Adults diagnosed with painful diabetic polyneuropathy.
  • Patients experiencing sleep disturbances related to their condition.
keep in mind

Tener en Cuenta

  • Results may not apply to all patients with diabetic neuropathy.
  • Further research is needed to explore long-term effects of VR.
  • The subjective nature of 'impression of change' may vary among individuals.
between the lines

Entre Líneas

  • Small sample size limits generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
  • Lack of blinding could introduce bias in self-reported outcomes.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Virtual Reality Interventions and Quality of Life Outcomes, Virtual Reality Interventions and Mental Health.

Relaciones de evidencia relacionadas

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Virtual Reality Interventions improve quality of life outcomes?

Moderate Evidence

Virtual Reality Interventions may improve Quality of Life Outcomes.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Sleep quality

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only a small number of supporting studies are available.
  • Population details are unavailable.
2 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Virtual Reality Interventions improve sleep outcomes?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Virtual Reality Interventions for Sleep Outcomes.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Sleep efficiency

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Virtual Reality Interventions improve mental health?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Virtual Reality Interventions for Mental Health.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Anxiety score

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

  2. 2

    Depression score

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026

Does Virtual Reality (VR) improve patients' impression of change in condition?

Emerging Evidence

Virtual Reality (VR) appears to improve Patients' Impression of Change in Condition.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Patients' Impression of Change in Condition

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Aug 2026
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