The influence of virtual reality on anxiety and pain in breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Breast cancer has a high incidence and remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Virtual reality (VR) based interventions have emerged as an effective new strategy to reduce psychological distress and improve physical wellbeing. This study aims to examine the effect of virtual reality on anxiety and pain in breast cancer patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across various electronic databases, including Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and ProQuest, for studies published between 2016 and 2026. The study focused on virtual reality interventions. Studies addressing other cancer types were excluded. The selected studies were screened through title, abstract, and full-text review based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed, involving 761 participants. All studies used VR as the primary intervention technique. Although there was variation in the number and duration of sessions across studies, findings indicated a reduction in anxiety and pain following VR intervention. Conclusion: This systematic review provides a positive picture of the use of immersive VR in improving psychological and physical well-being by reducing anxiety and pain scores in breast cancer patients. These findings demonstrate the potential benefits of VR in addressing the physical and psychological challenges associated with various clinical conditions in breast cancer patients. Future research should standardize VR intervention protocols and explore the long-term effects of VR use on other physical and psychological issues.