2026-09-24T05:27:22Z https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/129300 2025-10-20 col_2142_5131 col_2142_14797 com_2142_5130 com_2142_14796 com_2142_397

application/pdf en text Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2025-10-19 without embargo terms The student, Kaitlyn Pawelczyk, accepted the attached license on 2025-05-01 at 14:33. The student, Kaitlyn Pawelczyk, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2025-05-01 at 16:26. This Thesis was approved for publication on 2025-05-05 at 12:44. DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #22159 on 2025-10-19 at 18:11:30 Innovative method to dietary education for individuals undergoing hemodialysis: Immersive virtual reality low-sodium education and grocery shopping Pawelczyk, Kaitlyn 2025-05-05 Wilund, Kenneth Wilund, Kenneth Khan, Naiman Karduck, Justine low-sodium hemodialysis virtual reality educational tool eng Dietary sodium intake plays a critical role in chronic volume overload (VO) and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), both of which are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Effective management of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requires adherence to dietary recommendations; however, the renal diet’s complexity presents significant challenges in patient education, comprehension, and implementation, often resulting in noncompliance. To address this, a virtual reality (VR) educational tool was developed to help individuals on HD in overcoming behavioral barriers that impact sodium intake such as food selection and grocery shopping. This approach enhances nutrition education, focusing on critical components of the renal diet, specifically sodium, due to its impact on IDWG. Through this innovative way of learning, individuals on HD can actively engage with the material while fully immersed in the interactive educational environments. Within these virtual environments, individuals on HD can explore interactive lessons on sodium content, perimeter shopping, and label reading. This program seeks to increase understanding and retention of key dietary concepts, ultimately promoting better compliance with low-sodium dietary recommendations among individuals on HD through this technology-enhanced learning experience. 2025-05 Thesis https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129300 Copyright 2025 Kaitlyn Pawelczyk Nutritional Sciences Nutritional Sciences University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign M.S. Thesis