Impact of repeated virtual reality exposures on emotional and physical well-being in hospitalised breast cancer patients: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer surgery often leads to a high burden of distressing symptoms, underscoring the need for supportive care to help patients throughout the perioperative period. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of repeated virtual reality (VR) sessions on psychological and physical well-being in hospitalised women undergoing breast cancer surgery. METHODS: In this single-arm prospective study conducted in an inpatient unit of a French clinic, participants received three 360° nature-based VR sessions: the day before surgery and on the 2 subsequent postoperative days. Patients self-reported various psychological and physical well-being outcomes before and after each session. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for paired comparisons and linear mixed-effects models examined changes over time. RESULTS: Out of 19 patients approached, 11 were enrolled. The intervention was safe, well-tolerated and highly acceptable. Cybersickness symptoms were minimal and decreased significantly over sessions. No significant change was observed in overall state anxiety between baseline and the final assessment. However, each VR session produced immediate reductions in negative affect (anger, anxiety, depression, emotional fatigue, fear, sadness, stress) and physical fatigue, along with increases in positive affect (awe, relaxation). CONCLUSION: Repeated brief VR sessions are feasible and well accepted among hospitalised breast cancer patients, offering transient relief from perioperative distress and supporting psychological and physical well-being.