Virtual reality can take the stress out of breast cancer treatment – Health Imaging

Although modern cancer treatments have partially reduced the side effects on health and quality of life, these therapies are experienced with considerable suffering by women and these can sometimes develop conditioned responses to treatments, Andrea Chirico, a psycho-oncologist at the Sapienza University of Rome, and colleagues said. They pointed specifically to anticipatory anxiety before chemo, frequent requests to reduce dosages and, by result, impact on the drugs effectiveness.

The researchers asked 94 women to take a psychological test analyzing their stress and mood before and after chemotherapy for breast cancer. During treatment, 30 patients put on a virtual reality headset where they could explore a deserted island, walk through a forest, complete yoga and go swimming, among other activities.

Another 30 were exposed to music therapy while 34 women were placed in a control group without any intervention. The latter is standard of care at the Pascale Institutes oncology department in Naples, Italy.

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Virtual reality can take the stress out of breast cancer treatment - Health Imaging