Experience of breast cancer patients participating in a virtual reality psychological rehabilitation: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in China and worldwide. Apart from cancer, a majority of breast cancer patients suffer from various psychological disorders concurrently. The purpose of this study is to understand the actual experiences of breast cancer patients participating in Virtual Reality (VR) for psychological intervention, and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of VR psychological rehabilitation in China.

Methods: Twenty-three breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected using purposive sampling method for this qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experiences with VR psychological rehabilitation. The data were analyzed, summarized, and generalized using the Colaizzi analysis method.

Results: The results of the interviews were consistent with the PAC structural analysis. Three themes and six sub-themes captured how patients felt about adopting VR for their psychological rehabilitation, including parent ego state (the feeling of loss when expectations are not met, improvement of sleep), adult ego state (relief of psychological stress, optimization, and recommendations for VR therapy), and child ego state (novel and fun immersive experience, contagiousness of variable emotions).

Conclusion: Breast cancer patients participating in the VR psychological rehabilitation had a favorable experience. To maximize the benefit of VR psychological rehabilitation, healthcare professionals should comprehensively assess the psychological state of breast cancer, optimize VR technology, and enable patients to enter the adult ego state. The new model of VR psychological rehabilitation needs to be further explored.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Psychological rehabilitation; Qualitative; Virtual reality.