Impact of Virtual Reality on the Mental Health of Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment for Colorectal Cancer (VIRECAPS2)

Impact of Virtual Reality on the Mental Health of Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

Impact of Virtual Reality on the Mental Health of Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment for Colorectal Cancer VIRECAPS2

The increase in the survival of cancer patients and the incidence of cancers leads to a rapid increase in the number of people living after a diagnosis of cancer. Occupation during chemotherapy treatment time has been identified as an excellent way to support cancer patients. Studies show that distraction interventions increase tolerance to treatment, by decreasing the importance given to negative stimuli associated with chemotherapy and increasing pleasurable emotions. In this context, virtual reality (VR) is a promising intervention for patients receiving chemotherapy. VR is considered a powerful painkiller, even more effective than other distractors, such as movies or video games for example. Several studies have shown short-term beneficial effects of integrating VR in patients undergoing chemotherapy. This intervention would help patients better adhere to and tolerate treatment. Considering that positive emotions could be one of the underlying processes necessary for the effectiveness of VR, it would be possible to support the cancer patient towards better overall well-being thanks to these new technologies. Investigators can therefore ask themselves the question of the impact that VR used during chemotherapy can have on the adaptation of patients to the disease and its treatments as well as on their psychological distress in the medium and long term.

The increase in the survival of cancer patients and the incidence of cancers leads to a rapid increase in the number of people living after a diagnosis of cancer. Supporting people during and after treatment is an element of the third Cancer Plan (2014-2019) promoting the emergence of innovations for the benefit of patients as well as the implementation of global and personalized actions of support, and wishing to reduce the impact of cancer on personal life. Occupation during chemotherapy treatment time has been identified as an excellent way to support cancer patients. Studies show that distraction interventions (progressive relaxation, guided imagery, cognitive distractions such as reading, humor, listening to music, watching a movie, etc.) increase tolerance to treatment, by decreasing the importance given to negative stimuli associated with chemotherapy and increasing pleasurable emotions. In this context, virtual reality (VR) is a promising intervention for patients receiving chemotherapy. It makes it possible to modulate the attentional and emotional processes responsible for physiological and psychic reactions (pain, psychological distress, anxiety). VR is considered a powerful painkiller, even more effective than other distractors, such as movies or video games for example. Several studies have shown short-term beneficial effects of integrating VR in patients undergoing chemotherapy. This intervention would help patients better adhere to and tolerate treatment. Considering that positive emotions could be one of the underlying processes necessary for the effectiveness of VR, it would be possible to support the cancer patient towards better overall well-being thanks to these new technologies. Investigators can therefore ask themselves the question of the impact that VR used during chemotherapy can have on the adaptation of patients to the disease and its treatments as well as on their psychological distress in the medium and long term.

habitual distraction of patients during chemotherapy sessions authorized as part of routine care (doing nothing, discussion, reading, games, etc.).

Use of virtual reality as a distraction during chemotherapy sessions. A virtual reality headset will be worn for 15 minutes per hour of treatment (with a maximum of three sessions per cycle of chemotherapy)

Inclusion Criteria: Male or female, over 18 years of age. Patient with colorectal cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy naïve patient Patient speaking and understanding French and able to complete the questionnaires. Affiliated patient or beneficiary of a social security scheme. Patient having been informed of the research and having signed a free and informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Patient participating in another clinical study Patient with a history or progressive psychiatric illness Patient with severe visual and hearing impairment Patient not supporting the wearing of the virtual reality headset Patient who is unable to undergo medical monitoring for geographical, social or psychological reasons Protected patient: adult under guardianship, curatorship or other legal protection, deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision Pregnant, breastfeeding or parturient women

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