Key facts
- VR simulations are used to prepare paediatric cancer patients for procedures like CT scans and radiotherapy.
- The simulations aim to reduce patient anxiety and the need for general anesthesia.
- A 13-year-old patient found the VR simulation helpful in reducing anxiety for his proton beam therapy sessions.
Virtual reality simulations are being used to help prepare young cancer patients for medical procedures like radiotherapy and CT scans, aiming to reduce their anxiety and fear. Developed by students from Nanyang Polytechnic in partnership with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), the VR tool immerses patients in virtual treatment environments, allowing them to see machines and hear sounds associated with the process. The first simulation of CT scanning rooms was piloted in 2025, followed by VR applications for proton and photon radiotherapy environments in 2025, which were implemented at NCCS in early 2026. To date, 17 paediatric patients, including a 13-year-old named Tan Yi Heng, have used the simulations. His mother, Ng Lay Leng, stated that the VR experience significantly reduced his anxiety during his proton beam therapy sessions. Assistant Professor Eric Pang of NCCS noted that these simulations can help children better understand the treatment process, potentially reducing the need for general anesthesia.