Comparison of relaxation techniques in virtual reality for breast cancer patients

Abstract

A number of studies demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) featuring pleasant scenarios and relaxing narratives is effective in promoting relaxation in users, both in healthy and pathological contexts. One important field for application of relaxing VR is breast cancer, because of therapy-related distress and changes in body imagine experienced by patients during the care process. However, comparisons between different relaxation techniques adapted to virtual reality are rare. In the present study, the same virtual environment has been integrated with audio narratives designed according to two different relaxation techniques (respiration control and body scan). As initial exploration, 16 breast cancer patients have been exposed to the two versions of the virtual environment to evaluate effectiveness, pleasantness, overall satisfaction with the technique and sense of presence, as well as the impact on the emotional dimensions of valence, arousal and control. Discussion offers recommendations for the content properties