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

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality (VR) can be an innovative method to reduce patients' anxiety and support their psychological health.

Objective: To evaluate the anxiety and distress-reducing effects of using immersive VR (IVR) intervention in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: Sixty breast cancer patients undergoing RT were recruited for the quasi-experimental study. The participants were divided into the intervention group and the control group. Anxiety and distress, the primary outcome measures, were assessed before the first and after the last radiation session using reliable scales. Patients in the intervention group watched a tranquil forest view with birdsong and meditation music during each RT session using IVR goggles.

Results: Both group patients had similar levels of anxiety and distress before the start of RT. After the intervention, the anxiety and distress of the patients in the intervention group decreased significantly compared with the control group. In addition, treatment-related comfort was higher in the intervention group. Overall, the majority of patients in the intervention group expressed a high level of satisfaction with this IVR experience.

Conclusion: Patients who experienced an IVR intervention showed less anxiety and distress, greater comfort, and higher satisfaction. This innovative technique can be used as a practical solution to alleviate anxiety and distress in various healthcare settings.

Implications for practice: Immersive VR can be used in treatment and care interventions that cause anxiety and distress in oncology patients.

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