Virtual reality reduces anxiety and pain in acute hospital palliative care: Service evaluation

Burridge, Nancy; Sillence, Alison; Teape, Lynda; Clark, Ben; Bruce, Emma; Armoogum, Julie; Leloch, Daniella; Spathis, Anna; Etkind, Simon

Abstract

Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) might improve symptom management, but there is limited evidence regarding VR in palliative care. We evaluated the feasibility of VR and impact on anxiety and pain for patients in a hospital palliative care consultation service. Methods: Patients referred to a hospital specialist palliative care team, with anxiety or pain, were offered a VR intervention (a short audiovisual experience). Participants rated anxiety and pain on a 0-10 Likert severity scale pre intervention/post intervention and completed an evaluation form. Change in symptom scores was analysed by parametric statistics. Results: 28 participants used VR a total of 42 times with no adverse events. Mean pain score reduced by 29% from 4.10 (SD=2.71) pre intervention to 2.93 (SD=2.45) post intervention (t(27)=5.150, p<0.001). Mean anxiety scores reduced by 40% from 4.43 (SD=2.56) to 2.65 (SD=2.24) (t(27)=5.058, p<0.001). Patients rated the experience on average 4.75/5 and all would recommend use to a friend. VR was described as absorbing and relaxing. Conclusion: VR may improve anxiety and pain and was acceptable in this setting. Large-scale evaluation will generate important data on feasibility and implementation.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 24, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 14, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 15, 2023
• Journal: BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
• Print ISSN: 2045-435X
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-4368
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-004572
• Keywords: Service evaluation, Psychological care, Pain, Complementary therapy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11044520
• Additional Information: This study won the Marlow Prize at conference and we were invited to write a full report of the study for the BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care journal.