• Abhishek Sharma, Nidhi Sharma, and Aksh Chahal.
• Department of Physiotherapy, Arogyam Institute of Paramedical and Allied Sciences (Affiliated to H.N.B. Uttarakhand Medical Education University) Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. Electronic address: abhisheksharmampt@gmail.com.
• Pain Manag Nurs. 2024 May 7.

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, with significant impacts on physical, emotional, and functional well-being. Traditional rehabilitation methods may not fully address the multifaceted challenges faced by breast cancer survivors (BCSs), prompting exploration into innovative approaches such as Virtual Reality (VR) technology.ObjectiveThe present review aims to assess the effectiveness of VR in alleviating pain, improving Range of Motion (ROM), enhancing muscle strength, and augmenting the overall quality of life in patients undergoing breast cancer rehabilitation.MethodsA comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on studies investigating the use of VR in breast cancer rehabilitation. PubMed, Scopus, PEDro and Google scholar were searched for articles addressing VR interventions targeting pain management, ROM improvement, muscle strength enhancement, and quality of life enhancement in breast cancer patients.ResultsFindings yielded total 12 articles matching the selection criteria. VR technology has shown promising results in addressing the multifaceted needs of breast cancer patients. VR also serves as a distraction tool, positively impacting psychological well-being and mitigating negative psychological symptoms associated with the disease.ConclusionVR represents a non-pharmacological approach to pain management and rehabilitation in breast cancer patients. Its ability to engage emotional, cognitive, and attention processes contributes to its effectiveness in enhancing overall quality of life. Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term benefits and optimal utilization of VR technology in breast cancer rehabilitation programs.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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