The Effect of Virtual Reality Distraction and Fatigue Training on Anxiety and Fatigue Levels in Children with Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objectives

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of virtual reality (VR) distraction and fatigue training on anxiety and fatigue in children with cancer.

Methods

The sample of this parallel design randomized controlled trial consisted of 41 children aged 7 to 16 who were receiving chemotherapy treatment in the pediatric hematology and oncology wards of a university hospital. Data was collected with the Child Anxiety Scale-State, Child Fatigue Scale-24-Hours, and Visual Fatigue Scale in both groups before and during the first three days of chemotherapy treatment. All children admitted to the clinic during chemotherapy received fatigue education. On the first, second, and third days of chemotherapy treatment, children in the study group underwent a 15-minute VR distraction intervention following stratified randomization. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare scale scores by group, time, and group-time interaction.

Results

Of the patients, 63.4% were male, and 39% had neuroblastoma. There was no difference between the groups in terms of diagnosis, age, duration of diagnosis, chemotherapy, or hemoglobin levels. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of the anxiety and fatigue scores in the intervention and control groups in terms of group, time, and group-time interaction.

Conclusion

Applying VR distraction on the first, second, and third days of chemotherapy treatment was found to be useful in lowering anxiety and fatigue levels in addition to fatigue training.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Virtual reality distraction is an effective method for reducing anxiety and fatigue in this population.