Effect of virtual reality on pain in oncology patients: A systematic review

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) applications in managing pain among cancer patients. Pain is a prevalent symptom in oncology and significantly impacts patients' quality of life. VR, as a non-pharmacological intervention, distracts attention and provides immersive environments, making it a promising approach to alleviate pain. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 to assess VR's impact on pain management and its implications for clinical practice.

A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched via specific Medical Subject Headings terms. Studies were included if they were experimental or quasi-experimental, published in English, and accessible in full text. The population was composed of cancer patients, and the intervention was VR-based. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 researchers using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. From an initial pool of 497 studies, 22 met the inclusion criteria, including 10 randomized controlled trials and 12 quasi-experimental studies.

The included studies included 925 participants aged 6 to 85 years, representing various cancer types, such as breast, colorectal, and hematological malignancies. VR interventions were associated with significant pain reduction in 13 studies, while 6 studies reported no meaningful differences, and 1 study noted a slight adverse effect. The participants frequently reported enhanced satisfaction and emotional well-being, describing the VR experience as relaxing and distracting. Despite mild side effects such as nausea or dizziness, VR was generally well tolerated.

VR has considerable potential as a complementary method for pain management in oncology. While it shows promise in improving patient experiences and reducing pain, further robust, large-scale studies are needed to validate its clinical effectiveness and optimize its use. These findings encourage healthcare professionals to explore VR as a holistic tool in cancer care.