Exploring the Role of Virtual Reality in Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer

: A Co-Design Approach

Abstract

Teenagers and young adults (TYAs) with cancer face unique physical, psychological, and psychosocial challenges that are often distinct from both children and older adults with cancer. Despite this, there is limited research focused specifically on interventions tailored to meet their needs. In recent years, digital health interventions such as smartphone applications, websites, wearable technologies and video games have all shown promise in supporting TYAs in managing cancer-related symptoms, adhering to medication, managing mental and physical health, alleviating boredom in hospital and meeting information needs. Despite the increasing use of digital health technologies in cancer care, there remains a gap in understanding the unique needs and perspectives of both clinicians and patients when it comes to more novel and under-explored digital technologies, such as Virtual Reality ( VR ). VR has gained considerable attention across the digital health field over the last decade and has demonstrated success across various health disciplines including rehabilitation, psychotherapy, palliative care, surgical training and as a distraction tool. At present, the use of VR in oncology remains narrowly focused on specific areas, lacking comprehensive exploratory research that could identify broader applications and guide future research efforts. As a result, numerous opportunities for VR remain unexplored, and there is limited insight into the needs and perspectives of healthcare professionals and young people with cancer. To address this gap, this thesis explores the potential role of VR in supporting TYA s with cancer through two qualitative studies: a semi-structured interview study with healthcare professionals (n=14) and an iterative co-design study with TYAs (n=11). The findings offer initial insights into the potential of VR to address the unique challenges faced by TYAs with cancer, while also examining related safety, ethical, and accessibility challenges.

Date of Award	4 Feb 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Kirsten F Cater (Supervisor) & Amberly L C Brigden (Supervisor)