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Virtual reality and neurofeedback as a supportive approach to managing cancer symptoms for patients receiving treatment: A brief report of a feasibility trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2024

Abigail J. Rolbiecki Open the ORCID record for Abigail J. Rolbiecki [Opens in a new window] ,
Brett Froeliger ,
Jamie Smith ,
Jun Ying ,
Shannon Canfield ,
Kayla Posley ,
Megan Polniak  and
Dana Dotson
Abigail J. Rolbiecki*
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
Brett Froeliger
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Columbia, MO, USA
Jamie Smith
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Jun Ying
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
Shannon Canfield
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
Kayla Posley
Affiliation:
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
Megan Polniak
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
Dana Dotson
Affiliation:
Master of Biomedical Science Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
*
Corresponding author: Abigail Rolbiecki; Email: Abigail.rolbiecki@cuanschutz.edu
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Abstract

Objectives

Managing cancer symptoms while patients receive systemic treatment remains a challenge in oncology. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches like virtual reality (VR) and neurofeedback (NF) in tandem with systemic treatment might reduce symptom burden for patients. The combination of VR + NF as a CAM intervention approach is novel and understudied, particularly as it relates to supportive cancer care. The purpose of this study is to summarize our VR + NF study protocol and share preliminary results regarding study retention (across 2 treatment sessions) and preliminary impact of VR or VR + NF on patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety and pain.

Methods

We utilized a parallel arm trial design to compare preliminary impact of VR only and VR + NF on cancer symptoms among patients who are actively receiving cancer treatment.

Results

Sixty-seven percent (n = 20) of participants returned to participate in a second VR session, and the rates of return were the same between the VR groups. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improvements in anxiety after both sessions, while patients in the VR only group showed significant improvements in pain and depression after both sessions. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improved pain after session 1.

Significance of results

This study demonstrates that patients can be retained over multiple treatment sessions and that VR and NF remain promising treatment approaches with regard to impact on patient-reported outcomes like anxiety and pain.

Keywords

Cancercomplementary and alternative medicinevirtual realityneurofeedbacksymptom management
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , First View , pp. 1 - 7
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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References

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