A Novel Palliative Care Approach Using Virtual Reality for Improving Various Symptoms of Terminal Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Prospective, Multicenter Study
Abstract
Background: Some terminal cancer patients wish to “go to a memorable place” or “return home.” However, owing to various symptom burdens and physical dysfunction, these wishes are difficult for them to realize. Objective: The aim of the study is to verify whether simulated travel using virtual reality (VR travel) is efficacious in improving symptoms in terminal cancer patients. Design: This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. Setting/Subjects: Twenty participants with terminal cancer were recruited from two palliative care wards; data were collected from November 2017 to April 2018. Measurements: The VR software Google Earth VR ® was used. The primary endpoint was the change in the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores for each symptom before and after VR travel. Results: The average age of the participants was 72.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 11.9) years. Significant improvements were observed for pain (2.35, SD = 2.25 vs. 1.15, SD = 2.03, p = 0.005), tiredness (2.90, SD = 2.71 vs. 1.35, SD = 1.90, p = 0.004), drowsiness (2.70, SD = 2.87 vs. 1.35, SD = 2.30, p = 0.012), shortness of breath (1.74, SD = 2.73 vs. 0.35, SD = 0.99, p = 0.022), depression (2.45, SD = 2.63 vs. 0.40, SD = 0.82, p = 0.001), anxiety (2.60, SD = 2.64 vs. 0.80, SD = 1.51, p < 0.001), and well-being (4.50, SD = 2.78 vs. 2.20, SD = 1.99, p < 0.001; pre- vs. post-VR travel score, respectively). No participants complained of serious side effects. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that VR travel can be efficacious and safe for terminal cancer patients for improving symptom burden.
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It was found to be acceptable and safe to use across several settings including inpatient, outpatient and day care.
“Also consistent, it was found to be acceptable and safe to use across several settings including inpatient, outpatient and day care.17–19 65–67”
The majority of studies used tools to capture symptom change with only one using open-ended questions in their methodology.
“The majority of studies used tools to capture symptom change15 20 67 with only one74 using open-ended questions in their methodology.”
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“Other researchers have used NLP approaches, such as analyzing emotion intensity or identifying psychosocial challenges, to address end-of-life discussions with patients with cancer and provide them with targeted resources specific to their stage of the cancer journey [22,24,35,36,41,56].”
- Authors
- Niki, K., Okamoto, Y., Maeda, I., Mori, I., Ishii, R., Matsuda, Y., Takagi, T., & Uejima, E.
- Affiliations
- Ashiya Municipal Hospital (JP)
- Inokashira Hospital (JP)
- The University of Osaka (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Niki, Kazuyuki
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Palliative Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2019-05-21
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 702-707
- ISSN
- 1096-6218 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7740
- OpenAlex
- W2913633394
- Cited by
- 145
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5
- FWCI
- 14.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Palliative Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (16K10214)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Keywords
- terminal cancer, palliative care, symptom burden, pain, fatigue, sleepiness, dyspnea, depression, anxiety, well-being, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
- MeSH terms
- Virtual Reality, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Palliative Care, Prospective Studies, Terminally Ill, Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
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