by Editorial Staff
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For some time now, scholars have been looking for an alternative way to drugs to reduce the severe and continuous pain felt by cancer patients admitted to hospital.
After several studies, a recent investigation published in the scientific journal “Cancer” seems to open up new tantalizing scenarios.
I study
According to recent research, one would be sufficient 10 minute virtual reality session to significantly reduce the pain perceived by patients and the benefits obtained would remain even 24 hours after the end of the session.
The study involved 128 patients hospitalized and suffering from various tumors and with acute or chronic pain divided into two homogeneous groups with regard to factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, presence of metastases and use of drugs for the treatment of pain.
Some of them were subjected to “immersive distraction therapy”, a 10-minute session, during which patients found themselves virtually immersed in a pleasant and calm environment thanks to VR technology.
The other part of the patients was subjected, again for 10 minutes, to viewing a series of two-dimensional images using a tablet.
Both interventions were effective in relieving patients’ pain although the immersive intervention had a stronger impact. On a scale ranging from 0 to 10, patients declared a pain reduction of 1.4 following the virtual reality session, and 0.7 in the other case.
In the first case the benefits obtained lasted 24 hours after the end of the session, while in the second group the benefits obtained decreased in the same period of time.
This is a field of study that has already been explored in the past. A meta-analysis published in 2023 on BMJ Supportive & Palliative Carewhich analyzed 31 studies published between July 1993 and March 2023, highlighted the great benefits of immersive virtual reality interventions in alleviating both chronic pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
Between walks and virtual meditation sessions, the interventions carried out had helped to relax the patient in view of medical treatment, but also to involve him and equip him with the skills necessary to deal with his own situation.
The researchers, however, had warned against considering these studies exhaustive, since the research taken into consideration involved a limited number of patients or did not include a control group.
The obvious advantage is that these are interventions based on virtual reality sessions, which, not being invasive or based on pharmacological therapies, are generally well accepted by patients, doctors and caregivers, and can offer valid help in improving the quality of life of patients. cancer patients.
In Italy “Noicisiamo – Italian Metastatic Breast Cancer Association” is already experimenting with a project in the field of “Distraction Therapy” financed by the Call for Proposals Roche Foundation for patients.
Photo from Depositphotos.com
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