Playing virtual reality video games could reduce crippling pain in cancer patients, study finds

VIRTUAL reality helps improve cancer patients’ crippling pain, a study shows.

Playing video games and exploring calm environments with digital headsets eased their symptoms, researchers found.

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The tech may help distract patients from their pain and equip them to better deal with it, they said.

Dr William McGhee, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “VR interventions are effective in reducing pain and distress, particularly among people with cancer.

“As VR systems become progressively more accessible, immersive VR interventions may begin to offer cost benefits compared with conventional treatments.”

Around three million Brits are currently living with cancer, with someone diagnosed every 90 seconds.

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Most pain from the disease is caused by tumours pressing against bones, nerves or other organs in the body.

However, treatments like radiotherapy can also cause searing pain, with many patients prescribed morphine to help deal with the agony.

Previous research has shown virtual reality — a simulation that tracks head movements so you feel like you’re in a new environment — can be used to help calm children in hospitals.

The latest study, published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, looked at how the tech could be used to treat pain.

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Researchers analysed 31 different studies to see how VR impacted pain in people with cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and kidney disease.

Patients had an average age of 51, with VR sessions lasting around 20 minutes.

They had sessions from once every two weeks to daily, five days a week for a fortnight.

Some sessions involved exploring relaxing, natural environments, while others allowed patients to play games.

Those given VR sessions had significantly lower pain, particularly among cancer patients.

Dr McGhee said: “Immersive VR can offer a non-pharmacological intervention that is considered acceptable by clinicians, caregivers, and patients.”