The Effect of Virtual Reality on Chemotherapy-Associated Stress (Cortisol Value), Anxiety, and Pain Symptoms of Mastectomy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Vesile Eskici İlgin, Ayşegül Yayla, Rümeysa L Toraman et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized, two-group pilot study assessed virtual reality (VR) during chemotherapy in 62 women who had undergone mastectomy. The intervention group watched videos using VR glasses; outcomes included salivary cortisol, state anxiety, pain, and vital signs measured around treatment. At the second assessment, anxiety, pain, and stress mean scores differed significantly between groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also decreased significantly after chemotherapy in the VR group. The abstract reports statistical significance but provides no numerical effect sizes, cortisol values, or between-group estimates.
Key findings
- At the second assessment, state anxiety and visual analog scale pain scores differed significantly between the VR and control groups.
- Stress value mean scores differed significantly between groups at the second assessment.
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly after chemotherapy in the VR group.
Why it matters
Chemotherapy after breast surgery can involve pain, anxiety, and stress. This pilot trial suggests that a VR-based distraction during infusion may help address these symptoms and may also affect blood pressure. The findings provide preliminary evidence for a nonpharmacological supportive approach, while the abstract does not quantify the size of the observed differences.
What to keep in mind
This was a pilot study with 62 participants, and outcomes were assessed only before and immediately after chemotherapy; the abstract reports no effect sizes.