Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40301919›Full record

ArticleHealth research policy and systems2025

Enhancing cancer-supportive care through virtual reality: a policy brief.

Esmaeel Toni, Haleh Ayatollahi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health research policy and systems, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Virtual Reality Technology in Otolaryngology Patient Care Management: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Prospects.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Esmaeel ToniStudent Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Haleh AyatollahiHealth Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ayatollahi.h@iums.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3974-3648

Funding

Iran University of Medical Sciences 1402-2-113-26386
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology has been useful in enhancing cancer-supportive care by alleviating pain, anxiety and emotional distress. However, its integration into oncology faces multiple barriers, including limited funding, insufficient clinician training, accessibility challenges, absence of standard guidelines and reimbursement policies. This policy brief highlighted policy options needed for VR technology interventions in cancer-supportive care.

methodsThis policy brief was developed upon a previous systematic review that examined the role of VR in cancer-supportive care. To translate these findings into actionable recommendations, we conducted a secondary analysis of policy-related opportunities and challenges. The extracted evidence was synthesized to propose strategic policy options that facilitate VR adoption in oncology.

resultsA total of five key policy options were identified: (1) increasing funding for VR research and development, (2) training programs for healthcare professionals, (3) expanding patient access through financial support mechanisms, (4) establishing standard clinical guidelines and (5) developing reimbursement policies. These recommendations aim to bridge the gap between technological advancements and their practical implementation in cancer care.

conclusionsIntegrating VR into cancer-supportive care requires a coordinated effort among policymakers, healthcare institutions and technology developers. By implementing these evidence-based policy strategies, stakeholders can enhance patient access, improve clinical outcomes and ensure sustainable adoption of VR in oncology.

Indexed as

Health PolicyMedical OncologyNeoplasmsVirtual RealityHealth PersonnelHealth Services AccessibilityHumansReimbursement MechanismsCancerPolicy briefSupportive careVirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40301919
PMCPMC12039136

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.