Application of VR in an Oncology Healthcare context
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Application of VR in an Oncology Healthcare context; improving patient experience and increasing treatment tolerance
IRAS ID
233510
Contact name
Anne Johnson
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Virtual Reality (VR) has a variety of applications in regards to healthcare. In an oncological context, VR can go beyond explanation of medical procedures, also benefitting patients in terms of improving general wellbeing (Lifehouse VR pilot trial; 2017). VR has been shown to reduce cancer related psychological symptoms as well as perception of pain (Gershon et al; 2003; 2004) and feelings of distress (Chirico et al. 2016). If VR works to reduce the negative impacts of treatment, this could contribute to an increased tolerance for cancer interventions. This means VR has the potential to cut healthcare expenses such as failed treatment sessions or the administration of additional medication.
This study aims to incorporate VR into a common setting for patients undergoing cancer treatment; the chemotherapy environment. Our study will randomly assign patients starting intravenous chemotherapy at the Velindre Hospital to one of four study groups. Each study group may be required to experience VR using headsets during the first 7 minutes of none, some, or all or their chemotherapy sessions. Which chemotherapy sessions patients will be required to experience VR in will depend on their study schedule.
Each group will be asked to complete psychological distress measures and VR evaluative questionnaires 7 minutes into each chemotherapy session. They will also have their physiological response (Galvanic skin response) measured for the whole of their chemotherapy session. Any additional support that patients require to aid them through chemotherapy; e.g. extra medication, psychosocial interventions or a significant amount of time with chemotherapy nurses will be noted. Incomplete chemotherapy sessions due to adverse patient reactions will be highlighted. A comparison and analysis of all data between all groups will be made to examine the impact of VR in chemotherapy over several sessions.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
18/WA/0326
Date of REC Opinion
20 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion