Virtual Reality for Symptom Management in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Publication Date

5-1-2022

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Oncology Nursing Forum

Volume

49

Issue

3

DOI

10.1188/22.onf.233-241

First Page

233

Last Page

241

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of virtual reality (VR) on symptom distress, such as depression, anxiety, and pain, experienced by individuals receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. SAMPLE & SETTING: 20 participants aged 19–70 years (median age of 56.5 years) who were hospitalized in an academic setting received as many as two sessions of VR per week for two weeks. METHODS & VARIABLES: Before and after each session, participants completed the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS-r) to evaluate their symptoms. Paired t tests were later conducted. RESULTS: VR sessions showed significant improvement in 8 of the 10 symptoms addressed in ESAS-r. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: VR can improve symptoms in patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a hospital setting, provide a low-cost intervention to treat symptoms, and support future investigations exploring how VR affects prolonged hospitalizations related to distressing symptoms.

Keywords

comfort theory, stem cell transplantation, symptoms, virtual reality

Department

Nursing

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