American Journal of Health Research

Special Issue

Virtual Reality Applications on the Treatment of Cancer Patients

  • Submission Deadline: 25 February 2020
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Fadime TORU
About This Special Issue
Among the reasons of cancer being an important health problem in terms of morbidity and mortality rates; It is seen that it is seen frequently in the world and in our country, causing deaths, being seen in all age groups, making the individual in need of care and negatively affecting the individual and his/her family. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 data, cancer, which is the second most common cause of death after heart disease, causes 22.3% of all deaths. The main methods used in cancer treatment are; surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other treatments (immunotherapy, hormone therapy) and are used alone or in combination according to the type and extent of the disease.
It is observed that individuals receiving chemotherapy treatment have problems about the side effects of chemotherapy in clinics and outpatient clinics, and this situation becomes a priority for healthcare team members working in the field of oncology. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used to treat the side effects of chemotherapy. Drugs are used as pharmacological methods.
Distinguishing attention from the non-pharmacological methods used in the control of symptoms has the effect of focusing on the attention of the individual in a different place and controlling and reducing the symptoms experienced. It is widely used in clinical medical care to relieve symptoms by providing therapeutic environments for the assessment and treatment of medical conditions. Virtual reality is a computer simulation technique that allows individuals to hear and feel the sounds accompanying the visual image and the corresponding stimuli through the headset. The most fundamental feature that distinguishes virtual reality glasses from similar applications is that it gives individuals a real feeling. Virtual reality glasses, which are inexpensive to apply and use, do not cause any side effects and can be used in the healing of the individual, are an intervention that can be preferred in nursing applications because of these features. In this context, virtual reality glasses can be utilized in the management of symptoms during the procedure and in reducing anxiety in the individuals who receive chemotherapy. As a result, as a method of coping; By using virtual reality glasses, it can be ensured that an individual is moved away from the hospital environment and feels himself in another world. Since virtual reality glasses have the potential to be directed to multiple senses at the same time and to prevent sensations from environmental stimuli, individuals may feel the long duration of chemotherapy treatment and cope with symptoms such as anxiety.
Aims and Scope:
  1. Virtual Reality Glasses
  2. Cancer
  3. Chemotherapy
  4. Patient satisfaction
  5. Distraction
  6. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment
Lead Guest Editor
  • Fadime TORU

    Department of Principles of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey