Heliyon (Jan 2024)
The impact of virtual reality on the psychological well-being of hospitalised patients: A critical review
Abstract
Background and objectives: Improving hospitalised patients’ psychological well-being (PWB) is relevant to their recovery and overall quality of life. Virtual Reality (VR) holds the potential to emerge as a novel tool for increasing the PWB of hospitalised patients. This study critically reviewed existing research concerning the use and impact of VR on the PWB of hospitalised patients with serious illnesses. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and practical applicability of VR in enhancing the PWB for hospitalised patients dealing with serious illnesses. Methodology: In the initial search, the authors identified 106 sources that provided valuable insights into the broader field of VR, PWB, and the influence of VR on the psychological functioning of hospitalised patients. However, only eight articles were selected for the critical review, following the SALSA method. The SALSA method comprises the following steps: (S) Search, (AL) Appraisal, (S) Synthesis and (A) Analysis. Data extracted from these eight articles were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis, through which patterns were identified to examine the use and impact of VR on the PWB of hospitalised patients with serious illnesses. The thematic analysis process involves data gathering and familiarisation, code identification, and formulating and refining various themes to produce a thematic analysis report. Results: The themes that emerged from the analysis were (i) positive psychological effects (with sub-themes including the effectiveness of VR in improving psychological symptoms, its role as an equivalent or adjunctive treatment, and symptom reduction), (ii) perceptions and the adoption of novel technology, (iii) characteristics that influence the effectiveness of VR, and (iv) statistical and practical applicability and diversity of VR. Conclusion and recommendation: The use of VR to increase the PWB of hospitalised patients is a relatively recent innovation. Nevertheless, the themes identified in this study indicate that the use of VR within the context of hospitalised patients can benefit their psychological functioning, ultimately contributing to an improvement in their overall PWB. Further in-depth studies are needed to provide a comprehensive conclusion on the potential benefits of VR on the PWB of hospitalised patients dealing with serious illnesses.
