Virtual reality technology-based psychological intervention for patients with cancer：a scoping review
Objective To conduct a scoping review of the current state of research on the application of virtual reality technology in psychological interventions for cancer patients，clarifying its types，forms，contents，intervention effects，and outcome indicators，and to provide the improvement of mental health in cancer patients. Methods A literature search was conducted on PubMed，Embase，Web of Science，Scopus，Cochrane Library，China National Knowledge Infrastructure，and Wanfang Data up to October 11，2023. The selected literature was screened，included，and analyzed for content summary. Results A total of 22 studies were included，involving both non-immersive and immersive virtual reality technologies，with various systems or programs used for intervention. The primary interventions include virtual reality relaxation therapy，virtual reality exposure therapy，and virtual reality reminiscence therapy. The outcome indicators primarily include anxiety，depression，distress，pain，fatigue，sleep，quality of life，coping，and side effects of virtual reality. Conclusion The use of virtual reality technology for psychological interventions in cancer patients offers a variety of forms and rich content，which has a positive impact on improving the physical and mental health of cancer patients. However，there is significant heterogeneity in the content elements and outcome measure tools，leading to certain limitations in its application. In the future，the specific needs of cancer patients should be considered，and the procedural norms for virtual reality-based psychological interventions should be explored.
Key words： Virtual Reality; Neoplasms; Psychological Nursing; Scoping Review
REN Yayu , GAO Chunhua , LU Fangyan , ZHENG Li , WANG Huafen . Virtual reality technology-based psychological intervention for patients with cancer：a scoping review[J]. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2025 , 60(4) : 486 -492 . DOI: 10.3761/j.issn.0254-1769.2025.04.015
| [1] | Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020:GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality world-wide for 36 cancers in 185 countries[J]. CA Cancer J Clin, 2021, 71(3):209-249. |
| [2] | Molinaro J, Banerjee A, Lyndon S, et al. Reducing distress and depression in cancer patients during survivorship[J]. Psychoon-cology, 2021, 30(6):962-969. |
| [3] | Riba MB, Donovan KA, Andersen B, et al. Distress management,version 3.2019,NCCN clinical practice guidelines in on-cology[J]. J Natl Compr Canc Netw, 2019, 17(10):1229-1249. |
| [4] | 石习习, 王静, 杨雪琴. 癌症患者心理痛苦预测模型的构建及验证[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2022, 57(11):1330-1336. |
| [4] | Shi XX, Wang J, Yang XQ. Construction and validation of risk prediction model of psychological distress in patients with cancer[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2022, 57(11):1330-1336. |
| [5] | 李鹤, 卢芳燕, 章梅云, 等. 癌性疼痛患者出院随访的最佳证据总结[J]. 中华急危重症护理杂志, 2023, 4(7):653-659. |
| [5] | Li H, Lu FY, Zhang MY, et al. Evidence summary for discharge follow-up of patients with cancer pain[J]. Chin J Emerg Crit Care Nurs, 2023, 4(7):653-659. |
| [6] | Bani Mohammad E, Ahmad M. Virtual reality as a distraction technique for pain and anxiety among patients with breast cancer:a randomized control trial[J]. Palliat Support Care, 2019, 17(1):29-34. |
| [7] | 杨芷, 童晓飞. 颅脑损伤患者家庭远程康复护理的研究进展[J]. 护理学杂志, 2018, 33(2):102-105. |
| [7] | Yang Z, Tong XF. Family remote rehabilitation nursing of patients with traumatic brain injury:a literature review[J]. J Nurs Sci, 2018, 33(2):102-105. |
| [8] | 居馨星, 冯竞, 葛玲, 等. 虚拟漫游在患者术前健康教育中应用的范围综述[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2023, 58(14):1766-1772. |
| [8] | Ju XX, Feng J, Ge L, et al. A scoping review of application of virtual roaming in patient preoperative education[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2023, 58(14):1766-1772. |
| [9] | Burrai F, Ortu S, Marinucci M, et al. Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in people with cancer undergoing antiblastic therapy:a randomized controlled trial[J]. Semin Oncol Nurs, 2023, 39(4):151470. |
| [10] | Uslu A, Arslan S. The effect of using virtual reality glasses on anxiety and fatigue in women with breast cancer recei-ving adjuvant chemotherapy:a pretest-posttest randomized con-trolled study[J]. Semin Oncol Nurs, 2023, 39(5):151503. |
| [11] | Czech O, Siewierska K, Krzywińska A, et al. Virtual therapy complementary prehabilitation of women diagnosed with breast cancer:a pilot study[J]. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022, 20(1):722. |
| [12] | Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, et al. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR):checklist and explanation[J]. Ann Intern Med, 2018, 169(7):467-473. |
| [13] | Zhang BX, Jin XH, Kuang XL, et al. Effects of a virtual reality-based meditation intervention on anxiety and depression among patients with acute leukemia during induction chemo-therapy:a randomized controlled trial[J]. Cancer Nurs, 2024, 47(3):E159-E167. |
| [14] | Shin J, Chang JS, Kim JS, et al. An investigation of the effect of virtual reality on alleviating anxiety in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy:a randomized controlled trial[J]. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 2023, 117(5):1191-1199. |
| [15] | Chuan A, Hatty M, Shelley M, et al. Feasibility of virtual rea-lity-delivered pain psychology therapy for cancer-related neu-ropathic pain:a pilot randomised controlled trial[J]. Anaesthe-sia, 2023, 78(4):449-457. |
| [16] | 沈利凤, 孙美蓉, 朱慧, 等. VR沙盘游戏在头颈癌术后患者情绪障碍中的应用[J]. 全科医学临床与教育, 2022, 20(8):692-696. |
| [16] | Shen LF, Sun MR, Zhu H, et al. Application of VR sandplay in emotional disorders of postoperative patients with head and neck cancer[J]. Clin Educ Gen Pract, 2022, 20(8):692-696. |
| [17] | 舒晓, 刘军晓, 刘俊鹏. VR视频宣教联合心理护理对肺癌患者术前焦虑及麻醉恢复的影响[J]. 癌症进展, 2022, 20(12):1256-1259. |
| [17] | Shu X, Liu JX, Liu JP. Effect of VR video education combi-ned with psychological nursing on preoperative anxiety and anesthesia recovery in patients with lung cancer[J]. Oncol Prog, 2022, 20(12):1256-1259. |
| [18] | Zhang XQ, Yao SB, Wang ML, et al. The impact of VR-CALM intervention based on VR on psychological distress and symptom management in breast cancer survivors[J]. J Oncol, 2022,2022:1012813. |
| [19] | Kelleher SA, Fisher HM, Winger JG, et al. Virtual reality for improving pain and pain-related symptoms in patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer:a pilot trial to test feasibility and acceptability[J]. Palliat Support Care, 2022, 20(4):471-481. |
| [20] | Moscato S, Sichi V, Giannelli A, et al. Virtual reality in home palliative care:brief report on the effect on cancer-related symptomatology[J]. Front Psychol, 2021,12:709154. |
| [21] | Buche H, Michel A, Piccoli C, et al. Contemplating or acting? Which immersive modes should be favored in virtual reality during physiotherapy for breast cancer rehabilitation[J]. Front Psychol, 2021,12:631186. |
| [22] | Turrado V, Guzmán Y, Jiménez-Lillo J, et al. Exposure to vir-tual reality as a tool to reduce peri-operative anxiety in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery:a single-center prospective randomized clinical trial[J]. Surg Endosc, 2021, 35(7):4042-4047. |
| [23] | Ryu S, Price SK. Embodied storytelling and meaning-making at the end of life:VoicingHan avatar life-review for palliative care in cancer patients[J]. Arts Health, 2022, 14(3):326-340. |
| [24] | Ashley Verzwyvelt L, McNamara A, Xu XH, et al. Effects of virtual reality v. biophilic environments on pain and distress in oncology patients:a case-crossover pilot study[J]. Sci Rep, 2021, 11(1):20196. |
| [25] | Ger?eker G?, Bekta? M, M，Ayd?nok Y, et al. The effect of vir?tual reality on pain，fear，and anxiety during access of a port with Huber needle in pediatric hematology?oncology patients：Randomized controlled trial[J]. Eur J Oncol Nurs, 2021, 50:101886. |
| [26] | Kabir M, Rice JL, Bush SH, et al. A mixed-methods pilot study of ‘LIFEView’ audiovisual technology:virtual travel to support well-being and quality of life in palliative and end-of-life care patients[J]. Palliat Med, 2020, 34(7):954-965. |
| [27] | Sharifpour S, Manshaee G, Sajjadian I. Effects of virtual reality therapy on perceived pain intensity,anxiety,catastrophising and self-efficacy among adolescents with cancer[J]. Couns Psy-chother Res, 2020, 21(3):218-226. |
| [28] | Chirico A, Maiorano P, Indovina P, et al. Virtual reality and music therapy as distraction interventions to alleviate anxiety and improve mood states in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy[J]. J Cell Physiol, 2020, 235(6):5353-5362. |
| [29] | Jimenez YA, Cumming S, Wang W, et al. Patient education using virtual reality increases knowledge and positive experience for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy[J]. Support Care Cancer, 2018, 26(8):2879-2888. |
| [30] | Niki K, Okamoto Y, Maeda I, et al. A novel palliative care approach using virtual reality for improving various symptoms of terminal cancer patients:a preliminary prospective,multi-center study[J]. J Palliat Med, 2019, 22(6):702-707. |
| [31] | 叶磊, 夏广惠, 陈方梅, 等. 虚拟现实技术在癌症相关认知障碍患者中应用的范围综述[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2024, 59(7):882-889. |
| [31] | Ye L, Xia GH, Chen FM, et al. A scoping review of virtual reality on the effects on patients of cancer-related cognitive impairment[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(7):882-889. |
| [32] | 卜晓繁, 谌永毅, 韦迪, 等. 虚拟现实技术在乳腺癌患者症状管理中的应用进展[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2020, 55(6):868-871. |
| [32] | Bu XF, Chen YY, Wei D, et al. Application progress of virtual reality technology in symptom management of breast cancer patients[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2020, 55(6):868-871. |
/
| 〈 |
|
〉 |