Realidad Virtual como apoyo terapéutico en la atención paliativa

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. In palliative care, patient well-being requires addressing not only physical pain but also emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering. Humanizing this experience calls for safe, accessible non-pharmacological options that support and relieve without adding clinical burden. This study evaluates the technical feasibility, clinical pertinence, and ethical considerations of a virtual reality prototype; the working hypothesis is that brief, passive immersive experiences promote emotional regulation and well-being without disrupting hospital routines. Four thematic VR environments: Meditation, Art, Travel, and Spirituality were designed and validated with professionals at SOLCA through non-participant observation, brief interviews, and a structured survey. Perceived benefits, use scenarios, usability, and ethical safeguards were analyzed. Participants reported high ease of use and operational feasibility. Meditation was associated with reduced anxiety and improved sleep; Art with positive distraction and cultural stimulation; Travel with a sense of freedom and “escape from the hospital”; and Spirituality with peace and emotional/spiritual support. Presentation/flow refinements and content expansion were prioritized. The prototype is concluded to be viable and clinically pertinent as a non-pharmacological complement in palliative care, and a patient pilot under informed consent, clinical supervision, and usage protocols is warranted. Keywords: Virtual Reality; Palliative Care;Inmersive therapy; non-pharmacological support; cancer-related anxiety