Efficacy of Virtual Reality in Managing Pain for Palliative Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

Abstract Background: Virtual Reality (VR) has demonstrated effectiveness as an intervention for pain management. With technological advances and increased affordability, VR offers promising tools for managing pain among palliative patients. The primary aim of this systematic review and metaanalysis is to synthesize evidence from published Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) on the use of VR for pain management among palliative patients. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of VR interventions in reducing pain among palliative care patients and to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Data Sources: Literature searches were conducted in databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, utilizing medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords such as "Palliative Patients," "Hospice Patients," "End of Life Cancer Patients," "Pain Management," "Virtual Reality," and "Randomized Clinical Trials." Study Eligibility Criteria: Studies included were RCTs focusing on VR interventions for pain management in palliative care settings. Participants/Interventions: Palliative care patients receiving VR interventions for pain management. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute’s “Revised Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials” was used to appraise the methodological quality. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, with discrepancies resolved through consultation with a third reviewer. Quantitative analyses were performed using SPSS, calculating standardized mean differences and odds ratios, and assessing heterogeneity with the I2 statistic. Results: The review will summarize the effect sizes and confidence intervals of VR interventions on pain management in palliative care, with an evaluation of the consistency of the results across studies. Limitations: Limitations of the study will include potential publication bias and the inherent methodological limitations in the included studies. Conclusions and Implications of Key Findings: Findings are expected to provide robust evidence on the efficacy of VR for pain management in palliative care and highlight areas for future research. Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO [CRD42024512961]. Ethics and Dissemination: No ethical approval is required for this review. Results will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.