Immersive Virtual Reality as a Tool to Reduce Anxiety and Distress in Patients With Breast Cancer During Radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychological Health
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers innovative approaches to manage patient anxiety and enhance psychological well-being.
• Radiotherapy (RT) can induce significant anxiety and distress in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of immersive virtual reality (IVR) in mitigating anxiety and distress among breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• To evaluate the impact of IVR on patient comfort and satisfaction during RT.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 60 breast cancer patients undergoing RT.
• Participants were assigned to either an intervention group (receiving IVR) or a control group.
• Anxiety and distress were measured using validated scales before and after RT sessions.

Main Results:

• The IVR intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety and distress compared to the control group.
• Patients in the IVR group reported higher levels of treatment-related comfort.
• A majority of patients in the intervention group expressed high satisfaction with the IVR experience.

Conclusions:

• Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is an effective method for reducing anxiety and distress in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
• IVR can enhance patient comfort and satisfaction, offering a practical solution for psychological support in healthcare settings.
• This technology holds potential for broader application in managing anxiety across various medical interventions.