A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Virtual Spaces in Supportive Care
Authors: Dodlek, Nikolina; Charalambous, Andreas; Avraamides, Marios; Kassianos, Angelos
Editors: Andreas Charalambous
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
Publication year: 2025
Book title : Critical Perspectives on Technological Innovations in Healthcare
First page : 69
Last page: 99
ISBN: 978-3-031-87157-3
eISBN: 978-3-031-87158-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87158-0_6
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87158-0_6
Abstract
Background: adolescent and young adult (AYA) (person aged 15–39 years old) constitute a significant population impacted by cancer, with approximately one million diagnoses annually and survival rates exceeding 80% due to advances in treatment. Despite these promising outcomes, AYAs and their informal caregivers face significant challenges, including physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, emotional issues such as anxiety and isolation, and psychosocial disruptions to life goals. Digital health interventions, particularly virtual reality (VR), offer a novel approach to addressing these challenges. By leveraging immersive technologies, VR provides opportunities for pain relief, emotional support, and enhanced connectivity within remote, home-based settings. This chapter is based on the results from two systematic literature reviews that were conducted to explore the use of digital health interventions, specifically VR, in addressing the needs of AYA cancer patients and their informal caregivers. Comprehensive searches were conducted in databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, emphasizing interventions targeting psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes. Data synthesis focused on identifying trends, strengths, and limitations in existing digital health interventions. The reviews highlighted diverse applications of VR for AYAs, including relaxation exercises, virtual nature environments, and avatar-based peer support, which collectively demonstrated efficacy in reducing anxiety, managing pain, and fostering social connections. For caregivers, VR-enabled tools provided educational content and stress management support, enhancing their ability to cope with caregiving demands. While findings underscore the promise of VR in improving psychosocial and emotional well-being, further research is required to address existing gaps, enhance accessibility, and ensure long-term efficacy especially in home-based (remote) environment. Despite these benefits, challenges such as high costs, technological barriers, and limited long-term data were noted. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Background: adolescent and young adult (AYA) (person aged 15–39 years old) constitute a significant population impacted by cancer, with approximately one million diagnoses annually and survival rates exceeding 80% due to advances in treatment. Despite these promising outcomes, AYAs and their informal caregivers face significant challenges, including physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, emotional issues such as anxiety and isolation, and psychosocial disruptions to life goals. Digital health interventions, particularly virtual reality (VR), offer a novel approach to addressing these challenges. By leveraging immersive technologies, VR provides opportunities for pain relief, emotional support, and enhanced connectivity within remote, home-based settings. This chapter is based on the results from two systematic literature reviews that were conducted to explore the use of digital health interventions, specifically VR, in addressing the needs of AYA cancer patients and their informal caregivers. Comprehensive searches were conducted in databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, emphasizing interventions targeting psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes. Data synthesis focused on identifying trends, strengths, and limitations in existing digital health interventions. The reviews highlighted diverse applications of VR for AYAs, including relaxation exercises, virtual nature environments, and avatar-based peer support, which collectively demonstrated efficacy in reducing anxiety, managing pain, and fostering social connections. For caregivers, VR-enabled tools provided educational content and stress management support, enhancing their ability to cope with caregiving demands. While findings underscore the promise of VR in improving psychosocial and emotional well-being, further research is required to address existing gaps, enhance accessibility, and ensure long-term efficacy especially in home-based (remote) environment. Despite these benefits, challenges such as high costs, technological barriers, and limited long-term data were noted. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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