AppliedVR, a pioneer in immersive therapeutics (ITx) and a trailblazer in the field of medicine, has recently unveiled the interim analysis results of a phase 2 clinical trial conducted in collaboration with the esteemed National Cancer Institute (NCI), an integral part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The phase 2 clinical trial focused on investigating the potential of virtual reality (VR) as an intervention for patients with primary brain tumours (PBT) who experience distress and anxiety before their clinical evaluations. This groundbreaking study is part of an ongoing collaboration agreement between AppliedVR and the NCI, and it is spearheaded by the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) within the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at NCI. The study's patient population comprises individuals actively enrolled in NOB's Natural History Study.
The interim analysis, published in the Journal for Neuro-Oncology, evaluated the efficacy of a novel VR therapy aimed at alleviating psychological symptoms in PBT patients. The researchers hypothesised that VR intervention would be both feasible and well-received by the patients. Twenty participants completed the study, receiving VR devices with various preloaded scenarios. After engaging with VR therapy for a month, nearly all participants reported frequent usage and expressed high satisfaction.
Specifically, an impressive 90% of the participants found the VR intervention to be valuable, with the same percentage stating they would gladly use it again in the future. Moreover, an overwhelming 95% expressed a willingness to recommend VR therapy to other patients facing clinic appointments. Remarkably, 60% of the participants reported an improved quality of life during the study period. These promising results strongly suggest that VR therapy holds tremendous promise as an effective intervention for alleviating psychological symptoms in PBT patients.
Patients diagnosed with brain tumours often experience considerable distress due to the challenging clinical course and the heavy burden of symptoms associated with the disease. The term "Scanxiety," arising from frequent neuroimaging assessments, contributes to their emotional strain. Although traditional clinical approaches involve referring patients to mental health professionals, many patients choose not to avail of these services. Moreover, there is an anticipated shortage of mental health professionals, which is expected to worsen by 2025. This makes the potential of VR therapy even more promising in addressing the psychological needs of patients and enhancing their overall well-being.
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