A new analysis of pooled data suggests that immersive virtual reality (VR) technology may help alleviate pain and distress experienced by patients with cancer and other long-term conditions.
This digital technology allows individuals to immerse themselves in a non-physical world, providing a potential therapeutic tool for improving the psychological adjustment and quality of life of patients with various medical conditions.
Background
As the cost and accessibility of VR technology have improved, there has been growing interest in its potential to enhance patients’ well-being and help them cope with the physical and psychological challenges of long-term conditions.
While previous studies have explored the use of VR in healthcare, the effectiveness of these interventions in aiding patients’ psychological adjustment to their conditions remained unclear.
Key Findings
The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of research databases to identify studies that investigated the use and effectiveness of immersive VR for supporting psychological adjustment in adults with long-term conditions.
They identified 31 relevant studies published between 1993 and 2023, covering various conditions, including cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, and others.
Participants in the studies generally had positive experiences with immersive VR, and the technology appeared to help patients better cope with their required medical treatments and the emotional impact of their conditions.
VR interventions included both environment-based and game-based approaches designed to relax users, equip them with specific coping skills, or engage them in various ways.
While the types of VR interventions and procedures varied across the studies, the researchers found that no single type emerged as notably more effective than others.
However, they noted that many of the included studies were feasibility or pilot studies, and a few had a high risk of bias.
Additionally, sample sizes were often small, and few studies included comparison groups, warranting caution in interpreting the findings.
The precise mechanisms by which immersive VR exerts its physical and psychological effects on patients remain unclear.
It is possible that VR technology distracts and absorbs users, alters their state of mind, reduces the subjective experience of pain, and enhances their ability to cope with the physical and psychological impacts of their conditions.
Implications
The study’s findings suggest that immersive VR interventions are promising for individuals with long-term conditions, including cancer, and can offer non-pharmacological treatments that are considered acceptable by clinicians, caregivers, and patients.
As VR systems become more accessible, they may offer cost-effective alternatives to conventional pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
However, further research is needed to better understand how different types of VR interventions work, their comparative effectiveness, the contexts in which they are most beneficial, and any potential long-term effects.
Nevertheless, the study underscores the potential of immersive VR technology to improve the physical and psychological well-being of patients with long-term conditions.
Conclusion
Immersive virtual reality has the potential to be a valuable tool in improving the quality of life and psychological adjustment of patients with long-term conditions, including cancer.
While more research is needed to better understand its mechanisms and effectiveness in various contexts, the findings suggest that VR interventions can reduce pain and distress, offering non-pharmacological options for patient care and well-being.
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The research findings can be found in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.
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