The perception of time in digital environments: a patient-centred approach to using Virtual Reality to enhance well-being during chemotherapy
Parole chiave:
immersive virtual reality, time passage, cancer patients, participatory design, interaction in digital environmentsAbstract
This study explores the potential of immersive virtual reality (VR) to modulate the subjective perception of time in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. As part of the ERC Proof of Concept TIMELAPSE project, the research integrates theories on temporal perception with a participatory design approach. The aim is to develop and test a VR application that improves well-being during cancer treatment. Patients, carers and healthcare professionals participated in co-design workshops and qualitative interviews, offering valuable insights to help define an immersive experience that would meet their needs and requirements. Data analysis revealed that personal factors (physical and emotional) significantly influence the degree of engagement in immersive environments. Participants clearly preferred natural scenarios, moderate levels of interactivity and simple interfaces, in line with the limitations imposed by chemotherapy sessions. These findings have informed the development of design guidelines for a VR prototype which is currently undergoing clinical validation. The study suggests that patient-centred, participatory approaches can facilitate the integration of VR into clinical practice by promoting the development of tolerable, effective and meaningful immersive tools for the psychological and sensory support of cancer patients.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ilaria Terrenghi, Federica Cavaletti
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