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

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.