Telemedicine and Virtual Reality Technologies in Pain Management for Cancer Patients: A Structured Narrative Review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Not reported — no quantitative pooling performed

• Primary Outcome: Qualitative synthesis suggesting telemedicine supports continuous symptom monitoring, early pain exacerbation detection, and care continuity; VR offers non-pharmacological pain modulation through attentional distraction and emotional regulation, particularly for procedure-related and refractory pain

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculable from this review — no NNT, sensitivity, specificity, or hazard ratio data are synthesised or reported

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

Telemedicine is increasingly feasible in oncology settings with existing telehealth infrastructure; VR headset availability, cost, infection control requirements (shared devices in oncology units), and patient tolerance (nausea, cognitive impairment, claustrophobia) represent practical barriers. Neither intervention is universally accessible without targeted resource allocation. Telemedicine in oncology is well-supported in Australia following the permanent expansion of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items post-COVID-19, including items applicable to specialist oncology consultations and chronic pain management. The Australian Digital Health Agency's national digital health strategy supports integration of remote monitoring tools. VR for pain management is not currently listed on the Prostheses List or PBS, and TGA regulatory classification of therapeutic VR software (as a Software as a Medical Device, SaMD) remains an evolving area under the TGA's Digital Health regulatory framework. RACGP guidelines on chronic pain management acknowledge non-pharmacological adjuncts but do not yet specifically endorse VR. Cancer Australia and state-based cancer networks (e.g., Cancer Council Australia) may be relevant bodies for future guideline development. Rural and remote Australian patients — a significant proportion of the oncology population — may particularly benefit from telemedicine-based pain monitoring, consistent with existing teleoncology models in Queensland and Western Australia. Cancer patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain, particularly those with procedure-related pain (e.g., chemotherapy port access, wound care, lumbar puncture) or persistent pain inadequately controlled by standard pharmacological regimens; patients with sufficient digital literacy and access to appropriate technology

Abstract

Cancer-related pain remains a complex and persistent clinical challenge due to its multidimensional nature and the limitations of pharmacological treatments alone. In our view, telemedicine and virtual reality (VR) technologies represent complementary and increasingly relevant approaches that address different yet interconnected dimensions of pain management in oncology care. Telemedicine should be considered a key component of contemporary cancer care, particularly for continuous symptom monitoring, early detection of pain exacerbation, and timely clinical intervention. Its ability to enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers and to support continuity of care makes it especially valuable in the long-term management of cancer-related symptoms. In contrast, VR interventions offer a targeted, non-pharmacological strategy for modulating pain perception through attentional distraction, emotional regulation, and immersive engagement. Based on current evidence, VR appears particularly useful in the management of procedure-related pain and in patients experiencing persistent pain that is insufficiently controlled with standard approaches. We propose that the integration of telemedicine and VR should be considered within a coordinated, patient-centered care model, where telemedicine facilitates ongoing assessment and identification of patient needs, and VR is applied as an adjunctive intervention tailored to individual symptom profiles. Such an approach has the potential to enhance both symptom control and psychological well-being while supporting treatment adherence. However, despite their promise, the implementation of these technologies requires careful consideration of clinical context, patient characteristics, and system-level factors, including digital literacy and technological infrastructure. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized protocols and the evaluation of long-term outcomes to support the sustainable integration of these digital health strategies into routine oncology practice.

References

1. 1.Uzun, S., & Günay, D. (2026). Telemedicine and virtual reality technologies in pain management for cancer patients: A structured narrative review. Current Treatment Options in Oncology. https://doi.org/10.2196/86945