VR to Improve CINV, Sleep and Pain Among Children With Cancer in HK

The Use of a Virtual Reality Device (HypnoVR®) to Improve Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting, Sleep Quality and Pain Among Children With Cancer in Hong Kong

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, sleep quality and pain are the common symptoms experienced by children with cancer. These symptoms significantly devastate the children's quality of life. Hypnosis is found to be effective in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, sleep quality and pain in children with cancer. In addition, virtual reality is shown to promote the effectiveness of hypnosis in managing these symptoms. However, no study so far has examine it effectiveness in Hong Kong Chinese children with cancer. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness in the use a virtual reality device to improve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, sleep quality and pain among children with cancer in Hong Kong.

This study is a randomized controlled trial. We recruit 180 children with cancer who are aged 9 to 18 and Chinese speaking and allocate them into experimental and control group. The experimental group will receive a 15-minute hypnosis using virtual reality when they are experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, sleep quality or pain. The control group will receive no intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 9 to 18
• Can read Chinese and speak Cantonese
• diagnosed with cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

• with mental disabilities or cognitive dysfunction as identified in the medical record