Relaxing Immersive Virtual Reality Interventions Acceptable, Feasible

TUESDAY, Oct. 17, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Relaxing immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions are acceptable and feasible and can offer benefits to patients with cancer, according to a review published online Oct. 16 in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

William R.G. McGhee, from Queen's University in Belfast, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine immersive VR in adult populations with chronic physical illness to examine the impact on psychological well-being. A total of 31 studies met the inclusion criteria.

The researchers found that among adults with cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and multiple sclerosis, relaxing and engaging immersive VR interventions were shown to be acceptable and feasible. The evidence about effectiveness was more limited because many of the studies reviewed were feasibility or pilot studies. Immersive VR was suggested to have a positive effect on anticipatory anxiety symptoms and pain, based on evidence mainly from patients with cancer.

"Our findings suggest that VR interventions are acceptable treatments that have the potential to improve physical and psychological consequences of physical illness," the authors write. "There is good-quality research to suggest that these VR interventions are effective in reducing pain and distress, particularly among people with cancer."

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