Virtual reality for management of cancer pain: Study rationale and design

Abstract

Background Patients with cancer commonly experience acute and/or chronic moderate to severe pain related to disease, treatment, or both. While pain management strategies typically focus on drug therapies, non-pharmacological interventions may prove beneficial without risk of significant clinical side effects or contraindications. One novel strategy, virtual reality, has been shown to improve pain control in addition to usual pharmacological interventions. Methods This is a prospective, two-armed, single center randomized controlled study of a virtual reality intervention in 128 hospitalized subjects with cancer reporting pain rated at least 4/10 compared to an active control intervention, two-dimensional guided imagery. The primary outcome is change in self-reported pain score. Secondary end points include changes in self-reported distress, quality of life, and satisfaction with pain management. We will also explore patient preferences for distraction therapy content and themes through quantitative analysis of survey data, semi-structured interviews, and a collaging exercise. Conclusion This randomized controlled study aims to provide empiric data to support application and expansion of novel technologies such as virtual reality to augment usual pharmacological pain management strategies in hospitalized patients with cancer.

Effectiveness of virtual reality technology in symptom management of end-of-life patients: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…VR technology is a form of distraction therapy that allows patients to temporarily immerse themselves in a calm, pleasant and beautiful environment in order to alleviate their pain. 35 Niki et al 25 helped end-stage patients realise their wish of ‘going to an unforgettable place’ or ‘going home’ through VR technology, which not only improved the burden of patients’ symptoms but also met their needs, to improve the patient’s symptom burden while meeting the patient’s needs. At present, with the continuous development of science and technology, VR is increasingly applied to patients with cancer, 36 burn patients, 37 clinical teaching, 38 etc, providing a new way of thinking for the symptom management of end-stage patients.…”

The Role of Virtual Reality in Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Virtual reality (VR) is an effective tool for managing cancer pain. 16,17 Cancer patients often experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, including pain, anxiety, and depression. 18 Traditional pain management techniques, such as medication and physical therapy, may not be sufficient to address all of these symptoms.…”

“…15 Kelleher et al performing pre and post-study of VR intervention within a marine environment (VR Blue). 16 The study included 20…”

The pain conductor: brainstem modulation in acute and chronic pain

“…Harnessing these systems via noninvasive, pharmacologically inert treatment strategies (e.g., placebo, music therapy, and positive odours) could allow for the development of personalized and more effective patient care. This is especially pertinent given the growing need for and improved accessibility to remote patient care, such as video conferencing [78] and virtual reality hardware [79].…”