Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety in Veterans Undergoing Chemotherapy Infusions

Veterans are predisposed to generalized anxiety, and a cancer diagnosis can intensify psychological distress and overall unpleasant experiences during treatment. Infusion clinic staff at a veterans hospital tend to focus care primarily on the medical needs of patients, but evidence suggests health outcomes improve when both the mental health and physical needs of patients with cancer are addressed.

This evidence-based practice project sought to reduce anxiety in veterans undergoing chemotherapy infusions through virtual reality (VR) meditation.

The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice guided the project. A literature search and appraisal identified level I-III evidence suggesting that VR meditation, compared to standard care, had significant reduction of anxiety in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. At a veterans hospital outpatient infusion clinic, a team developed a standard operating procedure, trained nursing staff, and administered immersive VR meditation via headset with an installed meditation application during chemotherapy infusions. Participants (N = 17) completed pre- and postintervention surveys measuring anxiety.

Results suggested a statistically significant reduction in anxiety from pre-VR meditation (mean = 1.59) to post-VR meditation (mean = 0.18) (p = 0.003). Nursing implementation of VR meditation during chemotherapy infusions may reduce anxiety in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.