Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41886179›Full record

SynthesisCurrent oncology reports2026

OncoVR - Virtual Reality in Oncology for Patient-centered Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Miriam Balzer, Abdelrahman Elsakka, Gijs Luijten, Katrin Schormann, Slobodan Jovic, Monja Gerigk, Laura Mazilescu, Sophia Schmitz, Julius Keyl, Stefan Liszio and 6 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Current oncology reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

16 authors.

Miriam BalzerInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany. Miriam.Balzer@uk-essen.de.ORCID 0009-0004-2083-5651
Abdelrahman ElsakkaInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany.
Gijs LuijtenInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany.ORCID 0009-0000-3404-1917
Katrin SchormannInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany.
Slobodan JovicInstitute for Patient Experience, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Monja GerigkCenter for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine (ZvRM), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany.
Laura MazilescuDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Sophia SchmitzDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Vascular and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Julius KeylInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany.
Stefan LiszioCenter for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine (ZvRM), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany.
Oliver BasuCenter for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine (ZvRM), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany.
Beata Maria GorausDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen, Germany.
Stefan KasperDepartment of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen, Germany.
Jens KleesiekInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany.
Behrus Hinrichs-PuladiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Jan EggerInstitute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany. Jan.Egger@uk-essen.de.ORCID 0000-0002-5225-1982

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewDue to significant research efforts in the field of virtual reality (VR) and the increasing interest of the gaming industry, technical possibilities have developed rapidly. VR applications have become more extensive in recent years, with devices becoming more convenient and less complex to handle. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current state of research on the use of VR in oncology and to discuss its potential role in patient-centered care. RECENT

findingsAs a result of technological progress, the benefits of VR have entered the clinical field and are being used in various areas. However, since VR has not yet become part of everyday life, most patients are inexperienced in using these devices. Previous studies have shown that VR applications for oncology patients can improve well-being and reduce stress, anxiety, and nausea during therapy, surgery, and diagnostic procedures. Oncology is particularly well suited for psychological VR applications because cancer can be a potentially traumatic experience with a strong impact on mental health, which in turn can influence therapeutic success. In addition, oncological treatments are usually long-term, making them well suited for studies involving extended VR use. VR represents a promising supportive tool in oncology, particularly for improving psychological well-being and enhancing patient-centered care. Ongoing research suggests that its use may positively influence both the mental state of patients and the overall treatment experience.

Indexed as

Medical OncologyNeoplasmsPatient-Centered CareVirtual RealityHumansAnxietyCancerChemotherapyOncologyPatient-centered carePsychological supportStressVirtual realityWell-being

Identifiers

PMID41886179
PMCPMC13021760

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.