The Use of Virtual Reality as an Innovative Intervention for Managing Anxiety in Chemotherapy Patients: A Systematic Literature Review

IF 2.3 4区医学 Q1 NURSING

Seminars in Oncology Nursing Pub Date : 2025-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.soncn.2025.151908

Giorgia Gaudino , Ettore Palma , Sergio Ferrante , Diego Lopane , Chiara Coldani , Daniela Cattani , Alessandra Dacomi , Giuseppina Tomaiuolo , Stefano Mancin , Beatrice Mazzoleni

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) as an innovative non-pharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety and alleviate emotional distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted between March and May 2024 across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and MedRxiv databases, following PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies on immersive and non-immersive VR interventions in chemotherapy settings. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated through the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine framework.

Results

Seven studies involving a total of 594 participants were included. Across all studies, VR interventions significantly reduced anxiety levels during chemotherapy (P < .05). Immersive VR consistently functioned as a distraction tool, offering relaxation and emotional relief.

Conclusions

Immersive virtual reality appears to be an effective and safe complementary intervention to reduce anxiety in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. Despite promising findings, further high-quality research is needed to confirm these results and assess long-term effects.

Implications for Nursing Practice

VR can be integrated into clinical nursing practice as an innovative, non-invasive strategy to enhance the emotional well-being of patients receiving chemotherapy. Nurses should receive appropriate training to administer VR interventions and contribute to multidisciplinary efforts in supportive cancer care.

查看原文本刊更多论文

使用虚拟现实作为管理化疗患者焦虑的创新干预：系统的文献综述。

目的：评价沉浸式虚拟现实（VR）作为一种创新的非药物干预手段在癌症化疗患者中减少焦虑和缓解情绪困扰的有效性。方法：根据PRISMA指南，于2024年3月至5月对PubMed、CINAHL、Embase、Scopus和MedRxiv数据库进行系统文献综述。该综述包括对化疗环境中沉浸式和非沉浸式VR干预的研究。使用Joanna Briggs研究所工具评估方法学质量，并通过牛津循证医学中心框架评估证据的确定性。结果：纳入7项研究，共594名受试者。在所有研究中，VR干预显著降低了化疗期间的焦虑水平（P < 0.05）。沉浸式虚拟现实一直是一种分散注意力的工具，提供放松和情绪缓解。结论：沉浸式虚拟现实似乎是一种有效且安全的辅助干预，可以减少肿瘤化疗患者的焦虑。尽管这些发现很有希望，但需要进一步的高质量研究来证实这些结果并评估长期影响。对护理实践的影响：虚拟现实可以作为一种创新的、非侵入性的策略融入临床护理实践，以增强化疗患者的情绪健康。护士应接受适当的培训，以管理虚拟现实干预措施，并为支持癌症治疗的多学科努力做出贡献。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Seminars in Oncology Nursing Nursing-Oncology (nursing)

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

45 days

期刊介绍： Seminars in Oncology Nursing is a unique international journal published six times a year. Each issue offers a multi-faceted overview of a single cancer topic from a selection of expert review articles and disseminates oncology nursing research relevant to patient care, nursing education, management, and policy development.