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Virtual Reality: An Innovative Approach to Cancer Distress Management
Objective
To assess the impact of virtual reality on the distress and pain levels of oncology patients in a VA outpatient infusion clinic.
Background
It is known that distress in cancer care leads to several problems including decreased survival, decreased treatment adherence, and inability to make treatment decisions. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be beneficial to Veterans suffering from stress, anxiety, and other mental health ailments. This VA Oncology Infusion clinic is assessing the impact of VR on its Veterans’ distress and pain levels.
Methods
The pilot phase will last from 3/5/25- 9/5/25. Prior to each VR session, Veterans are administered an NCCN cancer distress screening tool and a numerical pain assessment. Post-VR session, Veterans are reassessed for distress and pain. The veterans are asked the following questions after each session: 1) Would you recommend VR to other veterans? and 2) Was the VR headset easy to use? Each VR session is approximately 10-15 minutes long, and the Veterans choose to engage in mindfulness activities, breathing exercises, or view scenery of their choice.
Results
Preliminary results indicate receptiveness and positive experiences amongst Veterans. 66% of Veterans who have used the VR headset have demonstrated a decrease in Cancer Distress by at least 2 points after a 10–15-minute VR session. 92% of Veterans that have used the VR headset report that it is easy to use and that they would recommend it to other Veterans.
Feasibility
The VA has created the Extended Reality Network (XR) to support the implementation of VR at the local site level. Resources and training are widely available to ensure program success.
Sustainability and Impact
A clearly developed standard of work and protocol that is tailored to the local site’s workflow, including a VR champion is needed to ensure sustainability. Preliminary data shows that veterans are engaged and responding positively to this innovative approach to cancer distress management, as evidenced by decreased distress levels and anxiety.
Objective
To assess the impact of virtual reality on the distress and pain levels of oncology patients in a VA outpatient infusion clinic.
Background
It is known that distress in cancer care leads to several problems including decreased survival, decreased treatment adherence, and inability to make treatment decisions. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be beneficial to Veterans suffering from stress, anxiety, and other mental health ailments. This VA Oncology Infusion clinic is assessing the impact of VR on its Veterans’ distress and pain levels.
Methods
The pilot phase will last from 3/5/25- 9/5/25. Prior to each VR session, Veterans are administered an NCCN cancer distress screening tool and a numerical pain assessment. Post-VR session, Veterans are reassessed for distress and pain. The veterans are asked the following questions after each session: 1) Would you recommend VR to other veterans? and 2) Was the VR headset easy to use? Each VR session is approximately 10-15 minutes long, and the Veterans choose to engage in mindfulness activities, breathing exercises, or view scenery of their choice.
Results
Preliminary results indicate receptiveness and positive experiences amongst Veterans. 66% of Veterans who have used the VR headset have demonstrated a decrease in Cancer Distress by at least 2 points after a 10–15-minute VR session. 92% of Veterans that have used the VR headset report that it is easy to use and that they would recommend it to other Veterans.
Feasibility
The VA has created the Extended Reality Network (XR) to support the implementation of VR at the local site level. Resources and training are widely available to ensure program success.
Sustainability and Impact
A clearly developed standard of work and protocol that is tailored to the local site’s workflow, including a VR champion is needed to ensure sustainability. Preliminary data shows that veterans are engaged and responding positively to this innovative approach to cancer distress management, as evidenced by decreased distress levels and anxiety.
Objective
To assess the impact of virtual reality on the distress and pain levels of oncology patients in a VA outpatient infusion clinic.
Background
It is known that distress in cancer care leads to several problems including decreased survival, decreased treatment adherence, and inability to make treatment decisions. Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be beneficial to Veterans suffering from stress, anxiety, and other mental health ailments. This VA Oncology Infusion clinic is assessing the impact of VR on its Veterans’ distress and pain levels.
Methods
The pilot phase will last from 3/5/25- 9/5/25. Prior to each VR session, Veterans are administered an NCCN cancer distress screening tool and a numerical pain assessment. Post-VR session, Veterans are reassessed for distress and pain. The veterans are asked the following questions after each session: 1) Would you recommend VR to other veterans? and 2) Was the VR headset easy to use? Each VR session is approximately 10-15 minutes long, and the Veterans choose to engage in mindfulness activities, breathing exercises, or view scenery of their choice.
Results
Preliminary results indicate receptiveness and positive experiences amongst Veterans. 66% of Veterans who have used the VR headset have demonstrated a decrease in Cancer Distress by at least 2 points after a 10–15-minute VR session. 92% of Veterans that have used the VR headset report that it is easy to use and that they would recommend it to other Veterans.
Feasibility
The VA has created the Extended Reality Network (XR) to support the implementation of VR at the local site level. Resources and training are widely available to ensure program success.
Sustainability and Impact
A clearly developed standard of work and protocol that is tailored to the local site’s workflow, including a VR champion is needed to ensure sustainability. Preliminary data shows that veterans are engaged and responding positively to this innovative approach to cancer distress management, as evidenced by decreased distress levels and anxiety.