Using immersive and non-immersive virtual reality as an innovative and novel technology for managing depression, anxiety and psychological distress among patients with cancer
Authors: Alhusamiah Bushra Kh , Zeilani Ruqayya S. , Haddad Rabia H. 
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using immersive virtual reality as an innovative and novel technology for managing depression, anxiety and psychological distress among patients with cancer.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant literature was searched and extracted using the following online bibliographic databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SAGE Journals and Science Direct, in addition, reference lists for all included studies were thoroughly examined to find relevant articles. This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. Several online databases were used to find eligible studies in peer-reviewed journals relevant to the study keywords. The included studies were systematic reviews and clinical trials that used immersive virtual reality–based intervention among patients with cancer and suffering from cancer-related fatigue, older than 18 years and were published in the English language from 2015 to 2024. Two researchers independently contributed to study selections, data extraction and evaluation from different aspects: quality assessment, risk of bias and study synthesis.

Findings

A total of 13 published studies were included in this review study: 7 articles were quantitative clinical trial studies and the other 6 were systematic review and meta-analysis studies. The quality of 7 included clinical trials was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool for quantitative studies, the overall result showed that 28.6% of studies rated with moderate quality, no study was rated with low quality and (71.4%) studies rated as high-quality study. As well as the quality assessment of all review studies showed that the majority of included systematic reviews and meta-analyses with a low risk of bias and high to moderate power of evidence. The result of this extensive and comprehensive review showed that immersive virtual reality has a significant positive impact on reducing depression, anxiety and psychological distress among patients with different types of cancer.

Originality/value

The findings of this systematic review provide compelling evidence for the transformative potential of immersive virtual reality as a therapeutic intervention for managing depression, anxiety and psychological distress in cancer patients. By synthesizing data from 13 rigorous studies, this review not only underscores the efficacy of this innovative technology but also highlights its role as a novel approach in the psychosocial care of individuals facing the challenges of cancer. This research opens new avenues for integrating immersive virtual reality into clinical practice, paving the way for future investigations that could further elucidate its mechanisms of action and optimize its application in oncology settings.