MANAGING PAIN
For AHN cancer patients, virtual reality providing escape during treatments
At Allegheny Health Network’s Cancer Institute, patients can swim with dolphins, relax on a beach in the Maldives, traverse London’s streets or navigate the countryside surrounding the Bavarian Alps — virtually, at least.
AHN announced Wednesday that Harvard MedTech, a Las Vegasbased medical device company, donated 29 virtual reality headsets to the Cancer Institute. The glasses give patients an escape — through sight and sound — for around five to 15 minutes while getting chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
“They are like a pair of binoculars, really. They have an elastic band on the back, like a large pair of glasses,” said Crystal Ross, the AHN Cancer Institute Service Line director. “It limits your peripheral vision. When you lift your head up, you can see the top of the ocean, and when you look down, you look at the floor of the ocean.”
Ms. Ross said AHN rolled out the program about two months ago, and the feedback she has received from patients has been largely positive. They have reported being more distracted and less anxious during treatment. She said the Cancer Institute is planning to conduct a research study on the headsets. Around 25 patients have used the technology so far, she added.
This is exactly what the headsets are designed to do, said Dr. Gerry Stanley, the senior vice president and chief medical officer at Harvard MedTech. Dr. Stanley said the company has been developing and modifying the technology since it was founded three years ago.
He said the glasses are part of a pain relief program that includes virtual reality therapy and behavioral health care. Clinicians work alongside patients to help fully transport them into their chosen location. Patients have 47 options. They can meditate or play games, among other experiences. The program is designed to help relieve pain, depression and anxiety.
Andrea Sampson, a spokeswoman for Harvard MedTech, said there isn’t an exact cost for the headsets because it’s “part of a larger program, which varies based on the patients’ needs.”
Virtual reality therapy has emerged recently throughout the country as a method for pain management. It has been shown to help children and adults with acute pain and enhance the effectiveness of physical and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain.
Harvard MedTech’s donationinspired by a former patient. In order to help cancer patients undergo
treatment, GeneVaskov donated money to AHN for its first two headsets. Mr. Vaskov is the surviving spouse of Connie Vaskov, a Cancer Institute patient who died in April 2019.
When Harvard MedTech learned about Mr. Vaskov’s goal of helping cancer patients, the company decided to chip in as well.
“Numerous members of our leadership team have had their personal lives touched by cancer. So the opportunity to assist with these patients, that was a nobrainer,” Dr. Stanley said. “Our founder and CEO, Shan Padda, absolutely jumped at the chance saying, ‘Yes, let’s absolutely donate these to Allegheny Health.’ ”
Connie Vaskov’s physician, Dr. Jane Raymond, said her patient of 15 years would have loved to see this technology being used. She described Connie as a “religious, grounded, wonderful woman with a very supportive husband.”
“I think that for Connie, and all the patients that are coming after her, having the option of using this virtual reality technique would be really helpful in getting through all these treatments,” Dr. Raymond said.
“We always see patients who are depressed and think, ‘Well, maybe it’s not worth getting this treatment, even if it does keep my cancer at bay. Maybe it’s not worth it. I get anxious when I go and think about stopping treatment,’ ” she continued. “But anything we can do to make their experience more pleasant is a big help.”
Virtual reality treatment is expanding beyond the Cancer Institute as well. The Chill Project at AHN, which teaches meditation and mindfulness practices in local school districts, is adding it to its curriculum.
Abraham “Jack” Kabazie, AHN’s director of pain medicine, also is launching a pilot program using Harvard MedTech Vx Therapy protocol to help patients cope with chronic pain and behavioral health issues such as anxiety and depression.