Virtual reality as a distraction intervention for women receiving chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the use of virtual reality as a distraction intervention to relieve symptom distress in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.


METHODS
Crossover study.


METHODS
The outpatient clinic of a midwestern comprehensive cancer center.


METHODS
20 women 18-55 years of age.


METHODS
Using a crossover design, 20 subjects served as their own controls. For two matched chemotherapy treatments, one pretest and two post-test measures were employed. Participants were assigned randomly to receive the virtual reality distraction intervention during one chemotherapy treatment and received no distraction intervention (control condition) during an alternate chemotherapy treatment. An open-ended questionnaire elicited each subject's evaluation of the intervention.


METHODS
Symptom distress, fatigue, anxiety.


RESULTS
Significant decreases in symptom distress and fatigue occurred immediately following chemotherapy treatments when women used the virtual reality intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The distraction intervention decreased symptom distress, was well received, and was easy to implement in the clinical setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing interventions to manage chemotherapy-related symptom distress can improve patient quality of life and increase chances for survival by reducing treatment-related symptom distress and enhancing patients' ability to adhere to treatment regimens and cope with their disease.
Schneider
Susan M
SM
School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. susan.schneider@duke.edu
Prince-Paul
Maryjo
M
Allen
Mary Jo
MJ
Silverman
Paula
P
Talaba
Deborah
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001288:Attention; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface