Experience of breast cancer patients participating in a virtual reality psychological rehabilitation: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in China and worldwide. Apart from cancer, a majority of breast cancer patients suffer from various psychological disorders concurrently. The purpose of this study is to understand the actual experience of breast cancer patients participating in Virtual Reality (VR) for psychological intervention, and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of VR psychological rehabilitation in China. Methods Twenty-three breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for qualitative study by purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients involved in VR psychological rehabilitation. Data were analyzed, summarized, and generalized through Colaizzi analysis. Results The results of the interviews were consistent with the PAC structural analysis. Three themes and six sub-themes captured how patients felt about adopting VR for their psychological rehabilitation, including: parent ego state (the feeling of loss when expectations are not met, improvement of sleep), adult ego state (relief of psychological stress, optimization and recommendations for VR therapy), and child ego state (novel and fun immersive experience, contagiousness of variable emotions). Conclusion Breast cancer patients participating in the virtual reality psychological rehabilitation had a favorable experience. To maximize the benefit of VR psychological rehabilitation, healthcare professionals should comprehensively assess the psychological status of breast cancer, optimize VR technology, and enable patients to enter the adult ego state. The new model of VR psychological rehabilitation needs to be further explored.