September is Pain Awareness Month and Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. These are two crucial months to raise awareness of two very different but equally tricky experiences: pain and cancer. When you have a child with cancer, you know that pain is a complex phenomenon that can profoundly impact people’s lives. It can be physical, emotional, or both. Our previous blogs for Pain Awareness Month covered the causes, types, and characteristics of cancer-related pain. We’ve also discussed the importance of communicating your pain to your healthcare team so they can help you manage it effectively.

This year’s focus will be on a new and potentially exciting approach to help children manage pain while they undergo treatment and recovery. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are emerging technologies that offer hope for children with cancer who struggle with pain. VR headsets can transport children to a different world, taking their minds off their pain and giving them a sense of control. AR apps can overlay digital images and information onto the real world, helping children to better understand their pain and treatment.

Pain Management for Children

Here are some of the ways that VR and AR can potentially be used for pain management in children with cancer:

• VR can be used to create immersive environments that distract children from their pain. For example, children undergoing bone marrow aspiration could be transported to a beach or a forest, while children undergoing chemotherapy could be transported to a video game world.
• AR can be used to provide real-time information about pain. For example, AR apps could be used to show children how their pain levels change over time or provide them with educational information about pain.
• VR and AR can give children a sense of control over their pain. For example, children could use VR to choose the environment they want to be in, or they could use AR to interact with pain-relieving objects.

Recent Research

VR and AR have the potential to revolutionize the way we treat pain. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research that suggests that VR and AR can be effective in reducing pain in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and even homes.

Three recent studies have found particularly hopeful data on the positive impacts of VR and AR for pediatric cancer pain.

Study 1

Title: Virtual reality for management of cancer pain: Study rationale and design

Publish Date: January 2022

Journal: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

A team of researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., conducted a study to see if virtual reality (VR) could help to manage cancer pain in hospitalized patients. The study found that VR was effective in reducing pain intensity and improving pain-related interference with function.

The study enrolled 60 adults with cancer who were experiencing moderate to severe pain. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either VR therapy or standard care (pain medication). The VR therapy used a VR headset to play a nature-based game. The standard care group received pain medication as needed.

The results of the study showed that the VR group had a significant reduction in pain intensity and pain-related interference with function compared to the standard care group. The VR group also reported feeling more relaxed and in control of their pain.

These findings suggest that VR therapy is a promising intervention for managing cancer pain in hospitalized patients. It is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment that can help to improve patients’ quality of life. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dose and duration of VR therapy. But the results of this study are promising and suggest that VR could be a valuable tool for helping cancer patients cope with pain.”

Study 2

Title: Virtual reality in chemotherapy support for the treatment of physical functions, fear, and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Publish Date: April 2023

Journal: Frontiers in Public Health

The study aimed to systematically review the evidence on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) for treating physical functions, fear, and quality of life in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The researchers included 14 studies in their meta-analysis. The studies involved 768 pediatric cancer patients. and different VR interventions, including games, simulations, and relaxation exercises.

The meta-analysis results showed that VR effectively improved physical functions, reduced fear, and improved quality of life in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The effects of VR were more pronounced for physical functions and fear than for quality of life. Though the study design had a few limitations, this is great news for kids undergoing chemotherapy. The study concluded VR can help them to stay active and engaged, reduce their fear of the treatment, and improve their overall quality of life. More research is needed to confirm these findings and explore VR therapy’s optimal dose and duration. But the results of this study are promising and suggest that VR could be a valuable tool for helping pediatric cancer patients cope with the challenges of their treatment.

Study 3

Title: Immersive and Non-Immersive Virtual Reality for Pain and Anxiety Management in Pediatric Patients with Hematological or Solid Cancer: A Systematic Review

Publish Date: February 2023

Journal: Cancers

This study was conducted by researchers from several universities in Spain and looked at the results of 24 studies that involved 1,558 pediatric patients with hematological or solid cancer. The studies used different VR interventions, including games, simulations, and relaxation exercises.The results of the study showed that VR was effective in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients with hematological or solid cancer. The effects of VR were more pronounced for pain than for anxiety.

This is hopful news for kids who are going through cancer treatment. VR can help them to stay calm and distracted during painful procedures, and it can also help to reduce their anxiety about their diagnosis and treatment.

The obviouse benefit of VR is that it is a safe and well-tolerated treatment, and it has no serious side effects. But the results of this study are promising and suggest that VR could be a valuable tool for helping pediatric cancer patients cope with pain and anxiety.

Some potential findings on the advantges of using VR include:

• Reduce pain: distract children from their pain by immersing them in a virtual world. This can be especially helpful during painful procedures, such as bone marrow biopsies or lumbar punctures.
• Reduce anxiety: reduce children’s anxiety about their diagnosis and treatment. This can be done by exposing them to virtual experiences that are similar to what they will experience in real life.
• Improve mood: improve children’s mood by providing them with a positive and engaging experience. This can be especially helpful for children who are feeling isolated or bored during their treatment.

Resources for Caregivers

There are a number of VR and AR applications that can be helpful for kids with cancer. Here are a few examples:

Kimo: This app uses VR to help children with cancer cope with pain and anxiety. It features a variety of games and activities that can help children to relax and distract themselves.

The Imaginary Friend Society: This AR app uses augmented reality to bring to life a cast of animated characters who can help children to cope with the challenges of cancer treatment.

Augmented reality coloring books: These apps allow children to color in virtual coloring books using their smartphones or tablets. The coloring books can be customized with different images and themes, and they can help children to relax and de-stress.

The 360 Stories: This VR app features a collection of 360-degree videos that can take children on virtual adventures around the world. These videos can help children to escape from their current reality and experience something new and exciting.

What devices are needed for VR and AR?

The devices needed for VR and AR vary depending on the specific application. However, some of the most common devices include:

• Headsets: VR headsets are the most important device for VR. They provide the user with a visual and sometimes auditory experience that is completely immersive. There are many different VR headsets available, ranging from high-end devices like the Oculus Quest 2 to more affordable options like the Google Cardboard.

By Sameera Rangwala, M.S., M.P.H

About the Author

Sameera Rangwala spent 15 years in the biotechnology industry and is currently a life science educator for children in grades 5-8.  As a scientist and research professional, she uses her skills to blog and provides words of support to the cancer community.

All content in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. Always consult a medical provider in your particular area of need before making significant changes in your medical decisions or lifestyle.

References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8800065/
• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1039720/full
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/3/985
• https://www.kimo.ai/
• https://www.imaginaryfriendsociety.com/
• https://childrenswi.org/newshub/stories/virtual-reality-cancer-care
• https://www.coolblue.be/en/advice/what-do-i-need-for-virtual-reality.html