Effects of virtual reality exposure on psychological distress in adolescent oncology patients.

ABSTRACT: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer often experience significant psychological distress during hospitalization. Virtual reality (VR) is a non-pharmacological intervention, yet its application in pediatric oncology remains limited. In this study, 35 patients aged 12-21 were assigned to either an experimental group (n=20), which received four VR sessions over two weeks in addition to standard care, or a control group (n=15), which received standard care only. Psychological measures included the Distress Thermometer (DT), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y1 (STAI-Y1), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The experimental group showed significant reductions in distress (DT), state anxiety (STAI-Y1), and depressive symptoms (HADS-D) (all p<.05; Cohen's d medium to large siz

SUBMITTER: Paulis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12638458 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature