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Published Online: 21 May 2019

A Novel Palliative Care Approach Using Virtual Reality for Improving Various Symptoms of Terminal Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Prospective, Multicenter Study

Publication: Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume 22, Issue Number 6

Abstract

Background: Some terminal cancer patients wish to “go to a memorable place” or “return home.” However, owing to various symptom burdens and physical dysfunction, these wishes are difficult for them to realize.
Objective: The aim of the study is to verify whether simulated travel using virtual reality (VR travel) is efficacious in improving symptoms in terminal cancer patients.
Design: This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study.
Setting/Subjects: Twenty participants with terminal cancer were recruited from two palliative care wards; data were collected from November 2017 to April 2018.
Measurements: The VR software Google Earth VR® was used. The primary endpoint was the change in the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System scores for each symptom before and after VR travel.
Results: The average age of the participants was 72.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 11.9) years. Significant improvements were observed for pain (2.35, SD = 2.25 vs. 1.15, SD = 2.03, p = 0.005), tiredness (2.90, SD = 2.71 vs. 1.35, SD = 1.90, p = 0.004), drowsiness (2.70, SD = 2.87 vs. 1.35, SD = 2.30, p = 0.012), shortness of breath (1.74, SD = 2.73 vs. 0.35, SD = 0.99, p = 0.022), depression (2.45, SD = 2.63 vs. 0.40, SD = 0.82, p = 0.001), anxiety (2.60, SD = 2.64 vs. 0.80, SD = 1.51, p < 0.001), and well-being (4.50, SD = 2.78 vs. 2.20, SD = 1.99, p < 0.001; pre- vs. post-VR travel score, respectively). No participants complained of serious side effects.
Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that VR travel can be efficacious and safe for terminal cancer patients for improving symptom burden.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Journal of Palliative Medicine
Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume 22Issue Number 6June 2019
Pages: 702 - 707
PubMed: 30676847

History

Published in print: June 2019
Published online: 21 May 2019
Published ahead of print: 24 January 2019
Accepted: 21 December 2018

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Authors

Affiliations

Kazuyuki Niki [email protected]
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research and Education, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
Department of Pharmacy, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Japan.
Yoshiaki Okamoto
Department of Pharmacy, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Japan.
Isseki Maeda
Gratia Hospice, Gratia Hospital, Minoo, Japan.
Ichiro Mori
Gratia Hospice, Gratia Hospital, Minoo, Japan.
Ryouhei Ishii
Department of Palliative Care, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Japan.
Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
Yoshinobu Matsuda
Department of Palliative Care, Ashiya Municipal Hospital, Ashiya, Japan.
Tatsuya Takagi
Department of Pharmainformatics and Pharmacometrics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
Etsuko Uejima
Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research and Education, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.

Notes

Address correspondence to: Kazuyuki Niki, BP, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research and Education, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan [email protected]

Author Disclosure Statement

No competing financial interests exist.

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