Virtual Reality as a Distraction Intervention for Women Receiving Chemotherapy
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of virtual reality as a distraction intervention to relieve symptom distress in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: The outpatient clinic of a midwestern comprehensive cancer center. SAMPLE: 20 women 18-55 years of age. METHODS: Using a crossover design, 20 subjects served as their own controls. For two matched chemotherapy treatments, one pretest and two post-test measures were employed. Participants were assigned randomly to receive the virtual reality distraction intervention during one chemotherapy treatment and received no distraction intervention (control condition) during an alternate chemotherapy treatment. An open-ended questionnaire elicited each subject's evaluation of the intervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom distress, fatigue, anxiety. FINDINGS: Significant decreases in symptom distress and fatigue occurred immediately following chemotherapy treatments when women used the virtual reality intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The distraction intervention decreased symptom distress, was well received, and was easy to implement in the clinical setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nursing interventions to manage chemotherapy-related symptom distress can improve patient quality of life and increase chances for survival by reducing treatment-related symptom distress and enhancing patients' ability to adhere to treatment regimens and cope with their disease.
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We did not see a statistically significant reduction in anxiety levels as reported in other VR studies in this setting.
“Surprisingly and consistent with other research,73 we did not see a statistically significant reduction in anxiety levels as reported in other VR studies in this setting.15 18”
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”
Research has highlighted benefits in chemotherapy populations in particular, with reduction of fatigue, anxiety, symptom distress and perception of time.
“Research17–19 has highlighted benefits in chemotherapy populations in particular, with reduction of fatigue, anxiety, symptom distress and perception of time.”
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- Authors
- Schneider, S. M., Prince-Paul, M., JoAllen, M., Silverman, P., & Talaba, D.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- Venue
- Oncology Nursing Forum
- Publisher
- Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
- Published
- 2004-01-01
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 81-88
- ISSN
- 0190-535X (ISSN-L)
- 1538-0688
- OpenAlex
- W2085421485
- Cited by
- 204
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 3.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oncology nursing forum (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Keywords
- virtual reality, distraction therapy, chemotherapy, breast cancer, symptom distress, fatigue, anxiety, nursing interventions, patient quality of life, medication adherence
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Anorexia, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Anxiety, Attention, Audiovisual Aids, Breast Neoplasms, Fatigue, Humans, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Nausea, Pain, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Surveys and Questionnaires, Respiration Disorders, Severity of Illness Index, Sleep Wake Disorders, User-Computer Interface, Treatment Outcome, Cross-Over Studies
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