2019 [16]Evaluating whether VR is an effective and acceptable teaching environmentMedical students (n = 72)There is room for exploring new ways of delivering teaching and expanding it more widely in palliative care and oncology.Medical trainingEducation and trainingVR headset + a pre-recorded 27 min presentation on nausea and vomiting in palliative care settingsExploratory studyMixed methodsEvaluating VR as a teaching toolOculus Rift virtual reality headsets2019 [17]Evaluating the advantages and limitations of the novel URO Trainer (UT), VRPhysicians (n = 22)The novel VR simulator showed a high face and construct validity and therefore has a great potential to complement endourological training.Medical trainingEducation and trainingVR simulatorsExploratory studyMixed methodsSupporting doctors’ trainingUT models + ureteroscope2022 [18]Evaluating among different healthcare professions the potential of an interactive and immersive VR environment for liver surgery that integrates all relevant patient data from different sources needed for planning and training of proceduresClinician (n = 57 medical students; n = 35 resident surgeons; n = 13 attending surgeons; n = 53 nurses)VR with a head-mounted display promises great potential to improve medical training and operation planning and thereby achieve improvement in patient care.Medical trainingEducation and trainingVirtual immersion sessions of patients in VRExploratory studyMixed methodsExamining the acceptability of VR by doctors and patients Smartphone (Galaxy S7; Samsung) and VR headset (Samsung Gear VR2021 [19]Examining the benefits of VR using two immersion methods (i.e., one participatory, one contemplative) and comparing them with each other in a population of women with breast cancer during scar massage sessionsPatients (n = 52)It is important to focus on the context in which VR should be offered. The presence of the practitioner and their interactions with the patient can provide a context just as favorable in reducing anxiety as the emotional regulation tools used (VR, music). The use of technological tools should be favored when the practitioner is unavailable during the treatment phase or even in order to reduce the monotonous nature of repetitive therapeutic sessions.Health educationEducation and trainingSmart wristbands measuring physiological signals and VR HeadsetsExploratory studyMixed methodsExamining the impact of VR on the emotional well-being of patients Mirage Solo VR (LENOVO S.r.l.)2019 [20]Testing for improving VR designed to practice relaxation for breast cancer patientsPatients (n = 16)Emotional valence, arousal levels, and relaxation levels were improved with the use of VR.Emotional well-beingEmotional support3D glasses and headsetsFeasibility study/accessibility studyMixed methodsEvaluating the effectiveness of VR in delivering psychological support3D glasses and VR Headsets2019 [21]Verifying whether simulated travel using virtual reality (VR travel) is efficacious in improving symptoms in terminal cancer patientsPatients (n = 20)VR travel can be efficacious and safe for terminal cancer patients to improve the symptom burden.Emotional well-beingEmotional support Virtual reality, stand-alone, and remotely controlled device loaded with a non-commercial audiovisual stimulation program managed in real time from the laboratoryFeasibility study and effectiveness studyMixed methodsHome-based virtual reality visual rehabilitation program for visual field loss supportIVR audiovisual stimulation protocol using stand-alone and remotely controlled HMD Oculus Go2020 [22]Examining multiple key user perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of an Immersive VR therapeutic intervention and its issues and opportunitiesPatients and caregivers (n = 90);
doctors (n = 30)Patients and caregivers indicated high acceptability of VR, and doctors reported satisfaction with the ease of use and usefulness of VR.Emotional well-beingEmotional support VR Kinect-based games and resistance trainingExploratory studyMixed methodsImproving physical functioning and quality of life for cancer patientsXbox Kinect2021
[23]Assessing the effect of an immersive VR-based intervention conducted at home on anxiety, depression, and pain and evaluating the short-term effect of VR sessions on cancer symptomatologyPatients (n = 14)VR could represent a suitable complementary tool for psychological treatment in advanced cancer patients assisted at home.Emotional well-beingEmotional support3D models, clinical patient data, and other imaging data were visualized in a dedicated VR environment with an HMD (IMHOTEP) controllable with head and mouseExploratory studyExperimentImproving medical training and operations planningVR HMD Oculus Rift2022
[24]Determining the acceptability/feasibility of VR in an oncology setting and evaluating
the impact on physical/psychological well-being and quality of lifePatients (n = 33)The intervention is acceptable and feasible and has shown positive effects on mental well-being/stress in the oncology setting.Emotional well-beingEmotional supportVirtual immersion sessions of patients in VRExploratory studyExperimentExamining benefits of VR in patients’ supportOculus Go headset2014
[25]Investigating the feasibility,
acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an exercise intervention through virtual realityPatients (n = 7)The patients maintained exercise for an additional ten weeks while undergoing adjuvant therapy, showing rehabilitation potential because the exercise intervention was feasible, safe, well tolerated, and highly acceptable, showing positive changes in CRF self-management.Physical therapy and rehabilitationMedical TreatmentRelaxation therapies using VRExploratory studyExperimentRelaxation and stress reduction for breast cancer patients through VRSmartphone Nexus 5x, iHarbot2021
[26]Characterizing the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a home-based visual rehabilitation program in hemianopia patients using immersive virtual reality simulationPatients (n = 2)The study shows the feasibility of real-world conditions and the potential effectiveness of such technology on visual perception and quality of life.Physical therapy and rehabilitationMedical TreatmentMulticenter, single-arm studyExploratory studyExperimentEvaluating VR as a symptoms management toolVR software Google Earth VR2022
[27]Comparing the effects of virtual reality (VR) training and resistance exercises training on symptom severity, physical functioning, and QoLPatients (n = 60)VR is an effective and encouraging intervention modality that can assist in improving physical functioning and quality of life in cancer patients.Physical therapy and rehabilitationMedical TreatmentA single-arm design of 7 participants performed light-intensity exercises using an efficacy-enhancing virtual reality approach using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus.Feasibility studyExperimentReducing CRF severity initiated immediately upon transition from hospital to home and extending through the initiation and completion of adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy and radiationSingle-arm design, Nintendo Wii Fit Plus2021 [28]Determining whether virtual reality distraction intervention can alleviate pain and anxiety and reduce the length of procedure among pediatric cancer patientsPatients (n = 108)Virtual reality is safe and effective in alleviating pain and anxiety among pediatric cancer patients undergoing PIC procedures.Pain managementMedical TreatmentUsing VR to alleviate pain and anxietyExploratory studyExperimentAlleviating the pain of patients through VRNot mentioned2022 [29]Determining the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness for larger randomized controlled trials of 3D head-mounted (HMD) virtual reality (VR) for managing cancer pain (CP) in adultsPatients (n = 13)Both 3D and 2D virtual applications provide pain relief for people receiving palliative care.Pain managementMedical TreatmentHead-mounted VR to manage painExploratory studySemi-structured interviewsManaging pain through VR3D and 2D head-mounted (HMD) virtual reality