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

BACKGROUND

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.