VR Glasses Help Cancer Patients at Inca Hospital During Chemotherapy

In the hospital in Inca, doctors and nurses are testing VR glasses that show short relaxation videos. Early users report less anxiety and a shorter perception of time.

A Small Room, Big Impact

In front of the treatment room at the hospital in Inca, the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingers; outside, a taxi driver honks now and then. Here, VR headsets have recently been used during chemotherapy. Not a futuristic show, but a practical aid: patients put on the headset for 30 minutes and view guided relaxation sequences – beaches, whale songs, forest walks, or a gentle breathing exercise.

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How does this new therapy supplement work?

During registration, the nurse briefly asks whether dizziness or strong nausea are known. Then the headset is adjusted, headphones on, and off you go. The sessions usually last exactly 30 minutes, concurrently with infusions. Toni, one of the nurses, says: “You can immediately feel the tension ease. Some patients smile suddenly, although they were very quiet before.”

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First results and honest words

The initial observations are positive: many report less anxiety about the treatment, some say time passed faster. Doctor Clara Gómez, who is overseeing the project, emphasizes that this is a supportive measure – not a replacement for pain medication or psychological support: “It helps reduce stress and make the treatment more tolerable.”

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Not everyone can use the headset: some patients experience mild nausea or dizziness. Then the session is stopped immediately. The team in Inca records such cases carefully to tailor its use better.

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Who is behind this and how will it proceed?

The devices were purchased with the support of a small local foundation; training for the nursing staff took place last week. Expansion is planned: if the numbers stay stable, more departments and smaller hospitals on the island should follow. Longer studies are also planned to scientifically prove the effects.

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Simple comfort in difficult hours

At the end, one simple observation remains: In a sparse treatment room, a 30-minute dream of the sea or the forest can bring back a little normality. A patient who wishes to remain anonymous says: “I feel that the needles are no longer the center of my day.” Small things, big difference—and in Inca they are aiming for exactly that: to relieve patients noticeably.

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Important: VR is a supplement, not a panacea. If you have questions, you can contact the admissions desk at Hospital d'Inca or ask during your next treatment.