The Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions on Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life Among Patients With Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Although cancer patients are living longer, the numerous physical and psychological outcomes of cancer can still be burdensome. Pain, anxiety, depression, and decreased quality of life are symptoms that are highly impacted by cancer. The availability of modalities to cope with these symptoms is critical. Virtual reality-based interventions have been used among patients with cancer, but their effects on pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life remain unclear.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of virtual reality-based interventions on pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among cancer patients and to assess the efficacy of different contents and duration.

Methods: Nine databases were retrieved from inception to July 31, 2024. The methodological quality was evaluated via the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Data synthesis was conducted with Stata version 16.0, and sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also performed.

Results: Virtual reality-based interventions can soothe pain and anxiety. Subgroup analysis revealed that interventions focused on playing games and watching videos were effective at reducing pain. In addition, enjoying landscapes, receiving treatment-related health education, and watching videos were effective at decreasing anxiety; moreover, short-term (≤6 weeks) interventions were effective at relieving pain.

Conclusions: Virtual reality-based interventions are effective at decreasing pain and anxiety. The contents and duration of the intervention had an impact on their effectiveness.

Implications For Nursing Practice: Symptom management is a paramount aspect of clinical cancer care. In daily oncology nursing, we encourage nurses to utilize the benefits of virtual reality-based interventions to improve cancer patients' experience with medical treatment.