Psychological effects of virtual reality intervention on breast cancer patients with different personalities: a randomized controlled trial

To explore the efficacy and safety of virtual reality (VR) in relieving negative emotions in patients with breast cancer with different personalities. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Between April 2023 and October 2023, we enrolled patients with breast cancer treated in the Department of Breast Cancer and Oncology at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province. The patients were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 118) and a control group (n = 119) using block randomization. The intervention group received the VR intervention 3 - 5 times over 5 ± 2 weeks using natural landscapes with music or relaxation guidance, and the duration of each VR intervention was 15 ± 3 min. The control group received routine nursing care, including disease education and psychological counseling. Patients were assessed using the Type D Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and Distress Thermometer, and adverse events during the intervention were recorded. Overall, 85 patients completed the study (44 in the intervention group and 41 in the control group). Patients with Type D personalities showed more negative emotions [25.0 (21.5, 27.5) vs. 19.0 (16.0, 24.0), P = 0.001] and distressed attitudes [4.0 (2.0, 5.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0, 4.0), P = 0.020] with fewer positive emotions (27.2 ± 5.6 vs. 31.0 ± 5.9, P = 0.014) than those with non-Type D personalities. Total population analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups. However, in the subgroup analysis, patients with Type D personalities in the intervention group showed greater relief from negative emotions than those in the control group [median difference, -5.0 (-9.0, -2.5) vs. -2.0 (-4.0, 2.0), P = 0.046]. No significant differences were found between groups of patients with non-Type D personality traits. The proportion of adverse events was not significantly different between groups (P = 0.110). Breast cancer patients with Type D personalities suffer more severe negative emotions and distress, and more attention should be paid to them. VR intervention significantly and safely reduced negative emotions in patients with Type D personalities.