Virtual Reality and Symptoms Management of Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Pain: A Systematic Review
Journal
SAGE Open Nursing
Date Issued
2020
Abstract
In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has become an interesting alternative to traditional exposure-based therapies for many
symptoms. VR involves immersion in a computer-generated virtual environment that minimizes avoidance and facilitates
emotional processing. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence on the intervention effect of VR on
anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain. The research strategy of this systematic review included three electronic databases
(MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect) based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Published quantitative studies from 2000 to 2020 were identified, which examined the effect of VR intervention on four
different symptoms related to symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Quality assessments, data extractions, and analysis
were completed on all included studies. A total of 882 titles and abstracts were screened, and 23 studies were included in
the review. The studies were grouped according to the symptoms: anxiety and depression, fatigue, and pain. The review
showed that VR intervention is more effective compared with the control (i.e., standard care) for anxiety, depression,
fatigue, and pain. VR can reduce effectively these symptoms in different contexts and diseases, including cancer. The evidence
suggests that there is value in exploring this intervention as a potential crossover treatment for these symptoms in patients.
This study contributes to evidence that distraction is an effective symptom management mechanism. The findings are
congruent with the theoretical framework, supporting the premise that VR, as an emotion-focused distraction intervention,
decreases the severity of these symptoms.
symptoms. VR involves immersion in a computer-generated virtual environment that minimizes avoidance and facilitates
emotional processing. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence on the intervention effect of VR on
anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain. The research strategy of this systematic review included three electronic databases
(MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect) based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Published quantitative studies from 2000 to 2020 were identified, which examined the effect of VR intervention on four
different symptoms related to symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Quality assessments, data extractions, and analysis
were completed on all included studies. A total of 882 titles and abstracts were screened, and 23 studies were included in
the review. The studies were grouped according to the symptoms: anxiety and depression, fatigue, and pain. The review
showed that VR intervention is more effective compared with the control (i.e., standard care) for anxiety, depression,
fatigue, and pain. VR can reduce effectively these symptoms in different contexts and diseases, including cancer. The evidence
suggests that there is value in exploring this intervention as a potential crossover treatment for these symptoms in patients.
This study contributes to evidence that distraction is an effective symptom management mechanism. The findings are
congruent with the theoretical framework, supporting the premise that VR, as an emotion-focused distraction intervention,
decreases the severity of these symptoms.
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