Therapeutic VR in oncology: clinical evidence and practical applications

Virtual reality is being used more and more in oncology departments. An overview of the scientific evidence, documented benefits, and real-world use cases.

In oncology, managing anxiety and the patient's quality of life is an integral part of the therapeutic pathway. Therapeutic VR is establishing itself as an effective, low-risk non-pharmacological intervention.

The most relevant studies

Recent scientific literature documents measurable benefits in three areas: reduction of anxiety during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, improved adherence to treatment, and reduced perceived discomfort during procedures such as port placement and central line draws.

Use contexts

Chemotherapy infusions: 30- to 60-minute sessions with relaxing experiences.
Radiotherapy: management of anxiety during the simulation and treatment phases.
Day hospital: psychological support during prolonged waits.

Why it works

Immersion reduces awareness of the clinical context: the patient is no longer "in the hospital"; they are in a different environment. This reduces cortisol, stabilizes heart rate, and improves mood — with measurable effects on physiological as well as subjective indicators.

Implementation

Departments that successfully adopt VR share three characteristics: a dedicated clinical lead, content specific to the oncology context, and continuous feedback collection to improve the service over time.