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Immersive virtual reality and neurofeedback for the management of cancer symptoms during treatment

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Abstract

Millions of people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the USA and are living on systemic therapies designed to prolong their life. While these therapies are intended to treat the disease, most exacerbate cancer symptoms such as pain and anxiety. Oncologists and other healthcare providers are now challenged to deliver adjunctive therapies designed to improve quality of life of patients while they undergo cancer treatment, including minimizing already disruptive symptoms such as cancer pain and anxiety. Complementary and alternative medicines such as immersive virtual reality (VR) and neurofeedback (NF) are novel approaches to the management of cancer symptoms. While the evidence for combining VR and NF, specifically for management of cancer pain, while patients undergo systemic therapies, is still emerging; our preliminary findings suggest this treatment modality might offer relief of cancer symptoms. This paper briefly highlights the clinical need for supportive therapies such as VR and NF in the oncological setting and summarizes innovative research in this area.

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Funding

This work was funded by the University of Missouri, Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, MA306 Medical Science Building, DC032.00, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA

    Abigail J. Rolbiecki

  2. Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA

    Ameish Govindarajan

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Brett Froeliger

Authors
  1. Abigail J. Rolbiecki
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  2. Ameish Govindarajan
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  3. Brett Froeliger
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Contributions

AJR wrote the first draft of manuscript with AG and BF providing thorough edits and subject matter expertise. All authors participated in providing final edits.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abigail J. Rolbiecki.

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Ethical approval

Ethical approval for the original study referenced in this paper was provided by the University of Missouri, Institutional Review Board. The Review Board approved the initial study as an exempt study, with a written consent in which patients digitally acknowledged using REDCap.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Rolbiecki, A.J., Govindarajan, A. & Froeliger, B. Immersive virtual reality and neurofeedback for the management of cancer symptoms during treatment. Support Care Cancer 31, 493 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-07957-3

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