{"id":27547,"date":"2021-10-15T23:44:12","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T23:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmshub.wpengine.com\/?p=358001"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:14:12","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:14:12","slug":"virtual-reality-found-to-benefit-cancer-patients-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/virtual-reality-found-to-benefit-cancer-patients-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Reality Found to Benefit Cancer Patients\u2019 Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

Virtual reality can be helpful in a health care setting. Medical professionals may use it for<\/a> training, as a counseling tool for patients, or as an education tool for positive lifestyle choices. A new study has found that it may be beneficial for cancer patients, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers from Keele University in the United Kingdom teamed up with a local filmmaker to see how virtual reality could help the wellbeing of cancer patients. After a seven-week trial<\/a> at Katharine House Hospice in Stafford, the vast majority of participants reported a variety of benefits to their mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK\/H_KO<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saeed Farooq, Professor of Psychiatry and Public Mental Health at Keele University, says<\/a>, \u201cIt was truly exciting to use the virtual reality in the hospice and to see its wonderful impact in improving the mental health and well-being of hospice patients.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Article continues below<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Featured Programs<\/span><\/h5>\n

See how we\u2019re making a difference for People, Pets, and the Planet and how you can get involved!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Participants were taken virtually to six destinations over the seven-week period. Those included Thailand, Germany, Scotland, Cornwall, the Peak District in central England, and The Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. The videos, which ranged in length from six minutes to 24 minutes, provided 360\u00b0 views and a vlog-style of filming to make participants feel like they had a companion on the trip. There were also drone views allowing the patients to explore the regions aerially.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Before and after the VR experience, patients filled out questionnaires that addressed several aspects of their mental health. More than 75% of the participants<\/a> said they felt improvements to their mental wellbeing, including feeling less nervous, anxious, or on edge.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK\/PRESSMASTER<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ben Malone, the filmmaker involved in the study and owner of the nonprofit Project Vae<\/a>, says he\u2019s excited about the possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

He told the BBC<\/a>, \u201cIt potentially could reduce anxiety, depression, loneliness. There\u2019s many different things that I think it can affect, and if people see the video and see the reactions from the patients themselves, I\u2019d like to get it to as many hospices and care homes in the country as I possibly can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the researchers from Keele University, they believe it could also be helpful to other patients dealing with debilitating physical illnesses or mental health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK\/BERNARDBODO<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Rashi Negi, Honorary Senior Clinical Fellow, says<\/a>, \u201cI am delighted with the result that this study has achieved and truly believe that the potential uses of this technology are limitless. I am hoping that the next stages will be rolling out this technology in larger groups of patients at hospices but also in many other patient populations such as patients suffering with dementia and other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety in care homes, in their own homes and on geriatric wards.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to see the patients\u2019 reactions to the virtual reality project, watch the link below.<\/span><\/p>\n