Virtual Reality for Chemotherapy Distress in Cancer

Overseen By Zeina Nahleh, MD FACP

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Severe motion sickness, Seizures, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

70 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether virtual reality can reduce stress for cancer patients during chemotherapy. Participants will either use a virtual reality headset or continue their usual activities, such as reading or watching TV, during one chemotherapy session. The researchers aim to determine if virtual reality can ease feelings of anxiety, depression, or pain. This trial may suit individuals with cancer who have experienced significant distress since their diagnosis and are open to trying virtual reality. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for patients to explore innovative stress-reduction techniques during chemotherapy.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using virtual reality during a chemotherapy session, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.

What prior data suggests that this virtual reality method is safe for use during chemotherapy?

Research has shown that virtual reality is generally safe and well-tolerated by cancer patients. Studies have found that it helps reduce anxiety, pain, and stress. These benefits are crucial in addressing the emotional and physical challenges cancer patients face. No reports indicate serious side effects from using virtual reality in these situations.

Some individuals might experience mild discomfort, such as dizziness or nausea, similar to any virtual reality experience. However, these feelings are usually temporary. Overall, virtual reality appears to be a promising way to make chemotherapy less distressing. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality for reducing chemotherapy distress because it offers a new way to manage the emotional and physical side effects of treatment. Unlike traditional methods that rely on activities like watching TV or reading, virtual reality immerses patients in soothing environments or engaging applications, which can help distract from discomfort. This innovative approach could enhance the overall treatment experience, making it more pleasant and potentially improving patient outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety during chemotherapy sessions.

What evidence suggests that virtual reality is effective for reducing chemotherapy distress?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR), which participants in this trial may use, can help cancer patients feel less anxious, reduce pain, and lower stress during treatment. One study found that using VR during chemotherapy significantly reduced patient anxiety. Another study discovered that VR improved mood and reduced feelings of depression in cancer patients. Some research also suggests that VR can boost overall emotional well-being and improve sleep quality. These findings indicate that VR could effectively provide distraction and emotional support during chemotherapy sessions. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Zeina Nahleh, MD

Principal Investigator

Cleveland Clinic Florida, Maroone Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who are interested in exploring whether virtual reality can reduce distress, anxiety, depression, or pain during treatment. Participants must be willing to use a VR headset or engage in standard activities like reading.

Inclusion Criteria

My cancer diagnosis was confirmed through a biopsy.

I can understand and am willing to sign the consent form.

Must have a National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer Score ≥ 5 any time since diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

I have a history of seizures.

I cannot or do not want to join the Virtual Reality study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a single chemotherapy session with either virtual reality or standard of care activities

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in distress, pain, anxiety, and depression scores post-intervention

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Reality

Trial Overview The study tests if using immersive virtual reality during one chemotherapy session can lessen patient distress compared to those doing preferred activities such as reading or watching TV. Patients will be randomly placed into either the VR group or the standard care group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Virtual reality Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will be asked to use a headset device during 15 to 30 minutes while receiving a chemotherapy infusion. Participants have the option to choose from different virtual reality setting depending on their preference (i.e., nature videos, meditations, interactive applications, among others).

Group II: Standard of care Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants will be asked to choose any activity of your preference during the chemotherapy session (i.e., watching tv, reading a book, listening to music or a podcast, etc.)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

472

Recruited

33,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study involving 19 pediatric cancer patients showed that immersive virtual reality significantly reduced anxiety and acute nausea during their first chemotherapy sessions, indicating its potential effectiveness as a supportive intervention.

The high consent and low withdrawal rates suggest that immersive virtual reality is not only feasible but also well-accepted by patients, parents, and healthcare providers in a clinical setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of immersive virtual reality for managing anxiety, nausea and vomiting among paediatric cancer patients receiving their first chemotherapy: An exploratory randomised controlled trial. Lee Wong, C., Li, CK., Choi, KC., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 90 breast cancer patients, both virtual reality (VR) and music therapy (MT) were found to effectively reduce psychological distress during chemotherapy, improving mood and alleviating anxiety.

VR was shown to be more effective than MT in specifically reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue, highlighting its potential as a powerful tool for enhancing treatment tolerance and quality of life in cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality and music therapy as distraction interventions to alleviate anxiety and improve mood states in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Chirico, A., Maiorano, P., Indovina, P., et al.[2021]

A systematic review of nine studies on the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) for pain and anxiety management in cancer patients showed a trend towards improvement, but only two studies demonstrated statistically significant results.

The current evidence is inconclusive due to methodological limitations and small sample sizes, highlighting the need for further research to better understand the effectiveness of VR in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy in Reducing Pain and Anxiety for Cancer-Related Medical Procedures: A Systematic Narrative Review. Chow, H., Hon, J., Chua, W., et al.[2021]

The study involving 11 children aged 10-17 showed that using virtual reality (VR) as a distraction during chemotherapy significantly reduced immediate symptom distress, indicating its potential effectiveness as a supportive intervention.

However, the VR intervention did not have a lasting effect on symptom distress after treatment, and it did not significantly influence anxiety levels during chemotherapy sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of virtual reality on symptom distress in children receiving chemotherapy. Schneider, SM., Workman, ML.[2009]

A study involving 123 adults undergoing chemotherapy found that using virtual reality (VR) as a distraction made the treatment feel shorter and was generally well-received, with 82% of participants expressing a desire to use it again.

Despite the positive feedback on the VR experience, the intervention did not significantly reduce symptom distress immediately or two days after chemotherapy, indicating that while VR can enhance the treatment experience, it may not alleviate chemotherapy-related symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality: a distraction intervention for chemotherapy. Schneider, SM., Hood, LE.[2018]

Virtual reality (VR) interventions have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue in cancer patients, based on a meta-analysis of 6 studies.

The findings suggest that while VR is effective for managing acute symptoms during cancer treatment, further research is needed to explore its benefits for long-term side effects in cancer survivorship care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Cancer-Related Symptom Management. Zeng, Y., Zhang, JE., Cheng, ASK., et al.[2020]

Virtual reality (VR) technology in medicine allows for repeated practice of medical procedures and offers diverse experiences with virtual organs, enhancing both learning and evaluation of clinical skills.

In clinical oncology, VR can simulate surgeries, aid in cancer diagnosis, improve patient education, and even help manage the psychological stress of cancer patients, showcasing its potential in palliative care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality for palliative medicine. Oyama, H.[2004]

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) significantly reduces anxiety, depression, and fatigue in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, based on a systematic review of 15 trials with 607 adults.

In pediatric cancer patients, IVR effectively lowers pain and anxiety, indicating its potential as a supportive therapy during chemotherapy for both adults and children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Gautama, MSN., Huang, TW., Haryani, H.[2023]

Virtual reality (VR) significantly enhances emotional well-being in women with breast cancer by increasing positive emotions and reducing anxiety during physiotherapy sessions, regardless of the immersion method used.

Participatory VR was found to create a stronger sense of presence compared to contemplative VR, suggesting that the level of patient involvement in the virtual experience can impact emotional outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contemplating or Acting? Which Immersive Modes Should Be Favored in Virtual Reality During Physiotherapy for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Buche, H., Michel, A., Piccoli, C., et al.[2022]

Virtual reality (VR) significantly increased feelings of joy and happiness in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, with 29 participants aged 10-18 showing marked improvements in emotional states during VR sessions.

While VR effectively enhanced mood, it did not provide additional benefits over a mobile game in reducing anxiety or increasing patience, suggesting that while VR is beneficial, its effects may be similar to other forms of distraction during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on Psychological and Physiological Variables in Children Receiving Chemotherapy: A Pilot Cross-Over Study. Erdős, S., Horváth, K.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11789450/

Effectiveness of virtual reality in cancer patients ... Virtual reality has proven to be an effective technique in reducing the anxiety, pain, asthenia and stress suffered by patients diagnosed with cancer and ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462388923000741

Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality on anxiety, fatigue ... This study showed that immersive VR had a statistically significant effect on anxiety alone among patients with cancer during chemotherapy, with a magnitude of ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10130570/

Virtual reality in chemotherapy support for the treatment of ... This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of VR and AVG on fear, physical functions, and quality of life.

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-95160-1

Cancer patients' acceptance of virtual reality interventions ... Studies have shown that VR interventions effectively alleviate anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and enhance individuals' emotional ...

5. ons.org ons.org/publications-research/cjon/29/1/effects-virtual-reality-pain-stress-and-affect-outpatient

Effects of Virtual Reality on Pain, Stress, and Affect in an ... A study using VR as a distraction for patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy showed enhancements in mood states and anxiety, as ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525002620

Extended reality in supporting cancer patients and survivors XR showed effective results supporting patients in seven areas: anxiety and stress reduction (n=40), pain management (n=19), and symptom ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06248216

Virtual Reality Therapy for Cancer-Treatment Associated ... Our primary goal is to generate pilot data on the effects of MIT-VR program on pain, fatigue, sleep, depression, and anxiety in participants suffering from ...

8. health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-025-01332-w

Enhancing cancer-supportive care through virtual reality Virtual reality (VR) technology has been useful in enhancing cancer-supportive care by alleviating pain, anxiety and emotional distress.