Measures of interest include behavioral questionnaires regarding stress, pain, and negative affect, as well as heart rate and cyber sickness. For more details, view the clinicaltrials.gov page here!

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oVRcome is an organization that seeks to provide outpatient infusion clinic patients with the opportunity to experience virtual reality as a source of entertainment, distraction, and stress relief.

Part 2: Problem Description

On average, over 100 patients undergo infusion treatment at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center each day. Many of these patients must remain in the infusion clinic for extended periods of time, causing some to face boredom in addition to the typical anxiety that accompanies hospital visits. Furthermore, treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs can cause some patients to experience side effects, such as pain and nausea. The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center currently provides some activities for patients (e.g. pet therapy and activity carts), but there is still a significant need for more stress relieving and therapeutic entertainment options.

Part 3: Benefits of Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is unique in its ability to address all of these needs. With its vast library of immersive tours, calming experiences, and stress relieving games, VR offers something for everyone to enjoy. Simply putting on a VR headset can transport a patient from their difficulties in the medical ward to the vibrant streets of New York City or the restful shores of Hawaii. Whether a first-time user or a VR enthusiast, patients are sure to be excited about this experience. The few studies that have been conducted concerning the applications of VR in a hospital setting indicate positive results, with patients reporting reduced pain and enjoyable experiences. We hope to further this research by investigating how VR improves patient satisfaction and reduces the side effects associated with infusion treatment.

Part 4: Unique Value of oVRcome

Several hospitals have already introduced VR for the reasons mentioned above. However, oVRcome is unique in its current goal to specifically address cancer patients in the infusion clinic. Additionally, there are very few programs in which volunteers are the ones facilitating VR experiences. Organizations that currently exist, like AppliedVR, are generally for-profit. Our goal to be a non-profit organization provides a unique opportunity for Vanderbilt to lead the charge in changing the status-quo of patient care at little to no cost.

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