Experiences of patients undergoing chemotherapy with Virtual Reality: A mixed methodology study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Current research into virtual reality (VR) use during chemotherapy shows that it can be an effective distraction intervention. There is limited research in adult patients and how VR can be sustainably implemented in healthcare organisations. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of VR for adult patients undergoing chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of using virtual reality for adult patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the factors that would enable sustained use of VR during chemotherapy in healthcare organisations. METHODS Participants undergoing chemotherapy were recruited to participate in a VR intervention during chemotherapy infusion. Participants were observed during the session and completed a post-intervention survey. Each participant was invited to participate in a semi-structured interview about their experience. RESULTS A total of 18 patients participated in the study, of whom five participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated that the use of VR was acceptable for patients undergoing chemotherapy, and was also feasible. Some participants felt the VR was an effective distraction during chemotherapy infusion, but most still seemed aware of how long their treatment was undertaken for. Although VR was acceptable and feasible to patients, interviews identified a number of barriers to sustained implementation including access to a reliable application library, and impact on staff workloads. CONCLUSIONS VR was acceptable to patients with a diagnosis of cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Patients found VR beneficial for breaking up the monotony of treatment, to provide an additional choice of activity in addition to other recreation, and in some instances as a distraction from treatment itself. There are, however, challenges to address if VR is to be implemented in practice for this patient group.