ReviewCancers2025
Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions for Needle-Related Procedures in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Review in Cancers, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Anxiolytic effect of virtual reality headset in upper extremity surgery: a prospective randomized trial.BMC surgery · 2025Trial
- Virtual reality for managing pain and fear and anxiety during pediatric needle procedures: an umbrella review.Clinical and experimental pediatrics · 2026Article
- Automated virtual reality therapy to treat needle fears (trypanophobia) in adolescents in England: a proof-of-concept cohort study and a Phase II randomised controlled trial.EClinicalMedicine · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundNeedle-related procedures (NRPs) in cancer care are often associated with significant pain and anxiety, contributing to psychological and physiological distress. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions in reducing anxiety, pain, depression, fear, and physiological parameters (pulse rate and respiratory rate) in patients with cancer undergoing NRPs.
methodsA systematic search of 11 databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, IEEE Xplore, Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CNKI) was conducted from inception to 15 May 2025. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted studies based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane RevMan 2024 software. Heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins'
resultsFourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1089 participants were included. VR interventions showed significant benefits compared to controls in reducing anxiety (standard mean difference [SMD] = -1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.47 to -1.01,
conclusionsVR-based interventions are effective in alleviating psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, fear) and physiological distress (pain, respiratory rate) in patients with cancer undergoing NRPs. However, they do not significantly impact pulse rate. Interpretation of findings should consider limitations such as the small number of studies, limited sample sizes, and high heterogeneity. Further high-quality RCTs with follow-up assessments are warranted. Customizing VR interventions to address demographic and procedural needs may further enhance their effectiveness.
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