Decreasing Chemotherapy Induced Distress Using Immersive Virtual Reality in Patients With Cancer

Decreasing Chemotherapy Induced Distress Using Immersive Virtual Reality in Patients With Cancer

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the use of virtual reality during chemotherapy treatment helps participants achieve an improvement in distress, which may include unpleasant experience, anxiety, depression and/or pain.

Participants will:

• Be randomly assigned to one of two available groups (virtual reality or standard of care)

• Participations will only be during one chemotherapy session.

• Those assigned to virtual reality:

  • The research team will provide a virtual reality
  • The research team will provide guidance on how the headset works and will be available to assist with any questions or concerns.
  • Participants will also be able to choose different relaxing backgrounds depending on their preference. headset during the chemotherapy session for 15 to 30 minutes

• Those assigned to the standard of care:

  • The research team will provide the participants with the opportunity to choose a preferred activity such as reading a book, watching television, etc.

In recent decades, new cancer cases have consistently risen. Participants diagnosed with cancer commonly face psychological symptoms including distress, anxiety, and depression in addition to physical symptoms (i.e., pain). Importantly, these symptoms might be exacerbated during chemotherapy sessions. New innovative technological strategies have been under development to control the symptoms and improve quality of life. Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that enables participants to interact with an artificial three-dimensional visual and auditory environment. VR could be an innovative intervention to relieve psychological symptoms associated with chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Biopsy proven diagnosis of Cancer (any stage or type).
• Must have a National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer Score ≥ 5 any time since diagnosis.
• Must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
• Followed by a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and/or breast surgeon at Cleveland Clinic.
• Ability to read and write in English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <18 years.
• No prior history of Cancer.
• Prior medical history of severe motion sickness.
• Prior medical history of seizures
• Pregnancy.
• Unable or unwilling to participate in the immersive Virtual Reality study at the Maroone Cancer Center