Look of Life 2.0. Virtual Reality for Cancer Patients in Home Palliative Care

Oncological disease, in addition to undermining the physical health and autonomy of the patient, is often accompanied by significant anxious and depressive symptoms that can compromise the quality of life of both patient and his/her family, hindering the adherence to treatment, the effectiveness of therapies and worsening the clinical prognosis. Several studies confirm that a large number of cancer patients experience severe levels of psychological distress, with an average prevalence of any mood disorder ranging from 29% in palliative care to 38% in oncological and hematological settings. The advanced stages of the disease are characterized by a progressive loss of functional autonomy, forcing the patient to a condition of isolation and both sensory and relational deprivation. The reduction of the occasions in which it is possible to experience positive emotions and meaningful social interactions often corresponds to an intensification of obsessive worries and thoughts, which in turn increase stress and connect to further negative emotional experiences. Thus the patient can be trapped in a vicious circle, that might increase the worsening of quality of life. In the last years, alongside traditional interventions, the effectiveness of interventions based on the use of immersive audiovisual technologies has been tested, such as the use of virtual reality (VR), which have the ability to emotionally involve the person, capture his/her attention and direct it towards positive stimuli, without particular effort to be used. Compared to 2D or 3D videos, VR gives to the user a "greater degree of presence", giving the impression of being immersed in a reality different from the real one. Unlike any other form of psychological intervention, VR does not require special training to be used and has the advantage of being used even in situations of poor mobility or attention capacity. Available literature shows how the use of VR for cancer patients is a widespread practice t