Virtual Reality in Clinical Practice and Research: Viewpoint on Novel Applications for Nursing

Patient Outcomes of a Virtual Reality-Based Music Therapy Pilot in Palliative Care

Background

Hospitalized patients with palliative care needs often have high levels of physical and psychological symptom distress. Virtual reality (VR) with a music therapy intervention may improve physical and psychological symptoms.

Objectives

To assess symptom distress and quality of life (QOL) among hospitalized palliative care patients who participated in a virtual reality-based music therapy (VR-MT) intervention, and to explore VR-MT from the perspectives of health care professionals involved in their care.

Design

Single-arm pilot study of a two-day VR-MT intervention.

Setting/Participants

Patients seen by an inpatient palliative care consultation service at a U.S. hospital could participate in the VR-MT intervention. Participants created a customized soundtrack with a music therapist and then listened to it while experiencing a 360-degree VR nature-based environment of their choice.

Measurements

Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, revised version (ESAS-r) and McGill Quality of Life, revised version (MQOL-R) before and after VR-MT. Members of the participants' health care teams were interviewed.

Results

Seventeen patients completed VR-MT (range 20-79 years of age, 59% women). Moderate clinical improvements were observed for total ESAS-r score (Cohen's d effect size, 0.68), physical distress subscale (0.52), and psychological distress subscale (0.60); small improvements were observed in total MQOL-r score (0.26) and the existential subscale (0.27). Health care team members described the value of VR-MT as facilitating meaningful conversations.

Conclusions

This pilot study of VR combined with a music therapy intervention for hospitalized patients with palliative care needs supports opportunities for future study of potential improvements in symptom distress and QOL.

State-trait anxiety levels and vital signs of pregnant women following intervention with virtual reality during the nonstress test: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women often experience anxiety due to pregnancy, negatively impacting their and their fetus' health. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as virtual reality (VR), could reduce anxiety levels, potentially impacting non-stress tests or the physiological responses of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

METHODS

A randomized clinical trial conducted between February and December 2022 involved 286 term pregnant women. They were divided into a VR intervention group (146 women) and a control group (140 women). The intervention consisted of 20 min of 3D glasses with images and sounds during a third-trimester nonstress test. Anxiety was measured using the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), alongside physiological parameters.

RESULTS

The VR group exhibited lower anxiety levels compared to controls (STAI score: Rosenthal's r: -0.54, p = 0.01; state anxiety: Rosenthal's r: -0.40, p = 0.001; trait anxiety: Rosenthal's r: -0.41, p = 0.001). Within the VR group, there was a significant reduction in trait anxiety (Rosenthal's r, 1.27; p < 0.001) and total anxiety (Rosenthal's r, 1.63; p < 0.001) post-intervention, along with decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and maternal heart rate (p = 0.02).

LIMITATIONS

Future research could explore additional pregnancy-related variables, such as postpartum anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm that the use of VR is beneficial for pregnant women and their fetuses, as it decreases anxiety levels, and improves physiological parameters such as blood pressure and maternal heart rate during the nonstress test. VR is a technique that is easy to integrate into the healthcare system due to its non-invasive and non-pharmacological nature.

The effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety management during outpatient hysteroscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) intervention for pain and anxiety relief during outpatient hysteroscopy.

METHODS

Various databases were searched for available clinical trials from inception until June 2023. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared virtual reality intervention versus standard care among women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. We used Revman software to perform our meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the pain score during the procedure. The secondary outcomes were anxiety during the procedure and pain post-procedure. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and anxiety.

RESULTS

Six RCTs were retrieved, involving a total of 457 patients. Virtual reality was associated with a significant reduction in pain score during the procedure in comparison with the control group (MD = - 1.43, 95% CI [- 1.69, - 1.16], p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant decrease in anxiety during the procedure among the virtual reality group compared to the control group (p = 0.01). The pain score post-procedure significantly decreased within the virtual reality group (MD = - 1.52, 95% CI [- 1.78, - 1.26], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual reality technology is a simple, feasible, and effective intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy. More trials are required to confirm our findings.

Virtual Reality Simulation in a Health Assessment Laboratory Course: A Mixed-methods Explanatory Study Examining Student Satisfaction and Self-confidence

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between virtual reality simulation (VRS) and student satisfaction and self-confidence in a health assessment laboratory course.

METHODS

Second-year students (n = 37) completed a postoperative respiratory distress scenario using Elsevier's Simulation Learning System with Virtual Reality. All participants completed the Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale; a subset participated in 1:1 semistructured interviews.

RESULTS

Satisfaction and self-confidence scores were strongly correlated. VRS experiences of fidelity, communication confidence and competence, learning with peers, integrated learning and critical thinking, and a safe space to learn were related to students' satisfaction and self-confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

VRS experiences are correlated with high student satisfaction and self-confidence.

Nature-based virtual reality intervention to manage stress in family caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a two-phase pilot study protocol

Millions of family members and/or friends in the U.S. serve as unpaid caregivers for individuals with chronic conditions, such as cancer. Caregiving for someone undergoing an intense allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is particularly demanding, with accompanying physical and psychological stress. Increased stress and stress-related symptoms could make it difficult for caregivers to fulfill their roles and could negatively impact the health status and quality of life of themselves and the recipients. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising technology increasingly used for treatment and wellness in various medical settings. There is growing evidence that studies have reported the positive effects of the VR intervention in managing and reducing stress among diverse populations in various clinical scenarios; however, no published studies have focused on family caregivers of patients with cancer. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a four-week nature-based VR intervention and to examine the effectiveness of the VR intervention on stress in HSCT caregivers. This study comprises two phases. Phase I of the study will be a single-arm pre-post design focused on assessing the feasibility and acceptability of the VR intervention. Phase II of the study will be a prospective randomized controlled group design to examine the effectiveness of the VR intervention on perceived stress. Adults (≥ 18 years) who serve as primary caregivers for a person who will undergo an allogeneic HSCT will be recruited. Fifteen participants will be enrolled for Phase I and 94 participants for Phase II (Active VR arm N=47; Sham VR arm N=47). The nature-based immersive VR program contains 360° high-definition videos of nature scenes along with nature sounds through a head-mounted display (HMD) for 20 minutes every day for four weeks. Primary outcome is perceived stress measured by the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary/exploratory outcomes are stress-related symptoms (e.g., fatigue, sleep disturbance) and physiological biomarkers (e.g., cortisol, alpha-amylase). The importance and innovativeness of this study consist of using a first-of-its-kind, immersive VR technology to target stress and investigating the health outcomes assessed by validated objective biomarkers as well as self-report measures of the nature-based intervention in the caregiver population.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05909202.

Effectivity of Virtual Reality to Improve Balance, Motor Function, Activities of Daily Living, and Upper Limb Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder in childhood. CP limits movement, which can interfere with children's daily activities. As a technology that provides intensive mass practice to children, virtual reality (VR) can create an interactive and motivating environment. With the intensity set by the therapist and feedback that can be used to produce individualized therapy, VR has great potential to improve CP patients' quality of life, especially in a safe, enjoyable, and playful environment.

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the effectiveness of VR for children with CP.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Wiley, and ProQuest to assess the efficacy of VR in managing children with CP up to 15 September 2022. Risk assessment of bias was performed using Cochrane RoB 2.

Results

Nineteen randomized controlled trials with 467 and 427 patients with CP were included in the intervention and control groups in qualitative and quantitative analyses. Participants consisted of cerebral palsy with hemiplegia (n=7), diplegia (n=2), a combination of both (n=4), and undefined (n=13). From all studies conducted, VR showed significant results where VR could improve balance (MD: 2.71[1.95, 3.48]; p < 0.00001), motor function (MD: 3.73 [1.67, 5.79]; p = 0.0004), and activity daily living (MD: 10.05 [2.89, 17.22]. However, VR showed not effective in improving upper limb function.

Conclusion

With its advantages and excellent effectiveness, VR may improve functional mobility and the quality of life of children with CP.

A Rapid Review of the Role of Virtual Reality in Care Delivery of Palliative Care and Hospice

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology that can provide a nonpharmacological approach to symptom management for those with serious illnesses. The VR platform offers a unique perspective to connect patients with places and experiences they might otherwise miss. This rapid review aims to present the current literature on the uses and benefits of VR for palliative care and hospice patients. Through a systematic process, we identified 14 articles published between 2018 and 2023 that used VR as an interventional strategy for symptom management. The VR equipment includes a head-mounted display, such as the Oculus Go, and sometimes requires hand controllers or joysticks. Virtual reality software was contained exclusively in the head-mounted displays or required a laptop. Nature scenes, memorable locations, and the solar system are examples of options patients could select for the VR experience. Assessments of the intervention were measured before, during, after, and several hours afterward to evaluate benefits and potential adverse effects. Pain was the predominant symptom assessed in the studies. Overall, most of the studies focused on establishing the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of VR using a single-arm interventional method. Future research should implement randomized controlled trials, increase sample size, and expand to pediatric populations.

The Role and Importance of Using Sensor-Based Devices in Medical Rehabilitation: A Literature Review on the New Therapeutic Approaches

Due to the growth of sensor technology, more affordable integrated circuits, and connectivity technologies, the usage of wearable equipment and sensing devices for monitoring physical activities, whether for wellness, sports monitoring, or medical rehabilitation, has exploded. The current literature review was performed between October 2022 and February 2023 using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus in accordance with P.R.I.S.M.A. criteria. The screening phase resulted in the exclusion of 69 articles that did not fit the themes developed in all subchapters of the study, 41 articles that dealt exclusively with rehabilitation and orthopaedics, 28 articles whose abstracts were not visible, and 10 articles that dealt exclusively with other sensor-based devices and not medical ones; the inclusion phase resulted in the inclusion of 111 articles. Patients who utilise sensor-based devices have several advantages due to rehabilitating a missing component, which marks the accomplishment of a fundamental goal within the rehabilitation program. As technology moves faster and faster forward, the field of medical rehabilitation has to adapt to the time we live in by using technology and intelligent devices. This means changing every part of rehabilitation and finding the most valuable and helpful gadgets that can be used to regain lost functions, keep people healthy, or prevent diseases.

The Application of Fully Immersive Virtual Reality on Reminiscence Interventions for Older Adults: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The increasing number of older adults with mental, behavioral, and memory challenges presents significant public health concerns. Reminiscence is one type of nonpharmacological intervention that can effectively evoke memories, stimulate mental activities, and improve psychological well-being in older adults through a series of discussions on previous experiences. Fully immersive virtual reality (FIVR) may be a useful tool for reminiscence interventions because it uses realistic virtual environments connected to a person's significant past stories.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to examine empirical evidence regarding the application of FIVR in reminiscence interventions, its usability and acceptability, and its effectiveness in assisting the intervention to achieve optimal outcomes.

METHODS

We followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach for scoping reviews. The PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, ACM, and IEEE Xplore electronic databases were used for the search. We included peer-reviewed studies that used FIVR as an assistive tool for reminiscence interventions; were published between January 1, 2000, and August 1, 2022; reported empirical research; involved older adults as participants; and addressed health- and behavior-related outcomes or the feasibility and usability of FIVR. We used Endnote X9 to organize the search results and Microsoft Excel for data extraction and synthesis.

RESULTS

Of the 806 articles collected from the databases and other resources, 11 were identified. Most of the studies involved participants aged between 70 and 90 years. Only 1 study did not involve those with cognitive impairments, whereas 3 specifically targeted people living with dementia. The results indicated that FIVR reminiscence interventions enhanced engagement and reduced fatigue. Although some studies have observed positive effects on anxiety, apathy, depression, cognitive functions, and caregiver burden reduction, these findings were inconsistent across other research. In addition, FIVR showed overall usability and acceptability with manageable side effects among older adults across various health conditions during reminiscence sessions. However, 1 study reported adverse feelings among participants, triggered by unpleasant memories evoked by the virtual reality content.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of FIVR in reminiscence interventions remains nascent, with limited studies evaluating its impacts on older adults. Many of the reviewed studies had notable limitations: small sample sizes, absence of rigorous research design, limited assessment of long-term effects, lack of measures for health and behavior outcomes, and quality of life. Beyond these limitations, this review identified a list of future research directions in 6 categories. On the basis of the review findings, we provide practical recommendations to enhance FIVR reminiscence interventions, covering topics such as virtual reality content, device choice, intervention types, and the role and responsibility of facilitators.

The effects of virtual reality-based exercise in adults receiving haemodialysis treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the effects of virtual reality-based exercise on physical function, depression symptoms and quality of life in adults receiving haemodialysis. Data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 3. The random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool intervention effects. A total of five studies were included. The majority of included studies compared intervention with passive control group. This meta-analysis showed with a moderate to high quality of evidence that virtual reality-based exercise has positive medium effect on improving physical function such as gait speed (g = .40, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.81), sit to stand 10 times (g = -.41, 95% CI -0.825 to -0.009), sit to stand in 60 s (g = .56, 95% CI 0.151 to 0.974), 6-min walk test (g = .66, 95% CI 0.247 to 1.079), not affect time up and go and sit to stand five times. The study indicated with moderate quality of evidence that virtual reality-based exercise had no effect on depression symptoms. The study also showed with a moderate quality of evidence that the intervention had a positive medium effect on improving physical function (g = .64, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.09). In conclusion, virtual reality-based exercise can be performed to improve physical function and quality of life of adults receiving haemodialysis for health professionals.

Patterns of health-promoting behaviors and associated factors in family caregivers of people receiving cancer treatment: A latent class profile analysis

OBJECTIVE

Family caregivers tend to neglect their health while prioritizing the needs of their care recipients. Identifying subgroups of caregivers based on the patterns of health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) may help develop tailored interventions for them, yet little is known. The purpose of this study was: (1) to identify latent classes with distinct patterns of HPBs in family caregivers of people with cancer; and (2) to investigate factors associated with the latent class membership.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional data analysis using the baseline dataset from a longitudinal survey study that assessed HPBs of family caregivers of individuals who received cancer treatment at a national research hospital (N = 124). Latent class profile analysis was conducted to identify latent classes based on the subdomains of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, followed by multinomial logistic regression analysis to investigate factors associated with the latent class membership.

RESULTS

Three latent classes were identified: a high level of HPB (Class 1, 25.8%); a moderate level of HPB (Class 2, 53.2%); and a low level of HPB (Class 3, 21.0%) of HPBs. Controlling for caregiver age and sex, caregiver burden due to lack of family support, perceived stress, self-efficacy and body mass index were factors associated with the latent class membership.

CONCLUSIONS

HPBs of our caregiver sample appeared in relatively stable patterns at different levels. Higher caregiver burden and perceived stress and lower self-efficacy were associated with the lower practice of HPBs overall. Our findings may serve as a reference for screening caregivers who need support and developing person-centered interventions.

The Effects of Virtual Reality in Maternal Delivery: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Extreme labor pain has negative effects; pharmacologic analgesic modalities are effective but are accompanied by adverse effects. Virtual reality (VR) works as a distracting nonpharmacologic intervention for pain and anxiety relief; however, the effects of VR use in laboring women is unknown.

Objective

Our study aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of VR technology during labor and delivery and investigate whether it impacts labor and patient satisfaction.

Methods

In all, 7 databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan-Fang Database) were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials of VR use in pregnancy and childbirth from the time of database construction until November 24, 2021. Two researchers extracted data and evaluated study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. Outcome measures were labor pain, anxiety, duration, satisfaction, and adverse events. Meta-analyses were performed where possible.

Results

A total of 12 studies with 1095 participants were included, of which 1 and 11 studies were rated as “Low risk” and “Some concerns” for risk of bias, respectively. Of the 12 studies, 11 reported labor pain, 7 reported labor anxiety, and 4 reported labor duration. Meta-analysis revealed that VR use could relieve pain during labor (mean difference –1.81, 95% CI –2.04 to –1.57; P<.001) and the active period (standardized mean difference [SMD] –0.41, 95% CI –0.68 to –0.14; P=.003); reduce anxiety (SMD –1.39, 95% CI –1.99 to –0.78; P<.001); and improve satisfaction with delivery (relative risk 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.59; P=.003). The effects of VR on the duration of the first (SMD –1.12, 95% CI –2.38 to 0.13; P=.08) and second (SMD –0.22, 95% CI –0.67 to 0.24; P=.35) stages of labor were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

VR is safe and effective in relieving maternal labor pain and anxiety; however, due to the heterogeneity among studies conducted to date, more rigorous, large-scale, and standardized randomized controlled trials are required to provide a higher-quality evidence base for the use of VR technology in maternal labor, with the aim of improving experience and outcomes.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021295410; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=295410