J. Hao1, Y. Li1, R. Swanson2, Z. Chen3, K.-C. Siu1
1University of Nebraska Medical Center, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 2University of Nebraska Medical Center, Pediatrics, Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 3The First Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Neurorehabilitation, Shanghai, China
Background: Cancer rehabilitation dedicates to promote function, ameliorate symptoms, maximize independence, and improve quality of life throughout the continuum of cancer care. There is accumulating empirical evidence supporting the implementation of cancer rehabilitation. Virtual reality is an emerging technology used in rehabilitation in recent decades. As a computer-generated simulation technology, virtual reality creates a novel environment with multidimensional simulation to enrich an individual experience in rehabilitation, with the features of immersion, imagination and interaction. Although virtual reality has been rapidly adopted in the rehabilitation field, current research mainly focuses on its effects on neurologicaland musculoskeletal conditions. There is a knowledge gap regarding the application of VR in cancer rehabilitation.
Purpose: This review aimed to systematically examine and summarize the current evidence regarding the effects of virtual reality on physical, cognitive, and psychological outcomes in cancer rehabilitation.
Methods: Six bioscience and engineering databases were searched. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of 2397 records and retrieved 25 full-text articles. Inclusion criteria included patients with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer; virtual reality was used as an intervention for physical, cognitive, or psychological impairments and functional limitations; clinical trials with at least two arms and with both pre- and post-intervention assessments. Reviewers assessed methodological quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale.
Results: Seventeen studies including 799 patients with cancer were identified. Within-group pooled analysis indicated patients demonstrated significant improvement in pain (P< 0.001), fatigue (P< 0.001), anxiety (P< 0.001), upper extremity function (P< 0.001), and quality of life (P= 0.008) after VR intervention. Between-group pooled analysis indicated significant improvements with VR in pain (P= 0.004), anxiety (P< 0.001), and upper extremity function (P< 0.001) compared with control. Three studies reported the positive effects of VR on cognition.
Conclusions: VR demonstrates promising effects in physical, cognitive and psychological aspects of patients with cancer. VR can be incorporated into a comprehensive cancer rehabilitation program to alleviate impairments and functional limitations.
Implications: This review prompts the systematic understanding of the implementation of virtual reality-based rehabilitation in cancer survivors. It provides up-to-date empirical evidence to support clinical decision-making and also informs further research endeavors in this field.
Funding acknowledgements: N/A
Keywords:
Virtual Reality
Cancer Rehabilitation
Meta-analysis
Virtual Reality
Cancer Rehabilitation
Meta-analysis
Topics:
Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Reason: It is a systematic review.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
