{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T06:01:13Z","timestamp":1790834473900,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":51,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790812800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Oncol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Virtual reality (VR) has become an increasingly popular tool in cancer care over the years. It shows promise in areas like pain management, psychological support, surgical training, and rehabilitation. Even though more studies are being done, there has not been a thorough analysis of the research trends in this field. This study looks at how VR interventions in cancer research have evolved over the past two decades, identifies research hotspots, and explores future directions.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We collected publications related to VR in cancer research from the Web of Science Core Collection and Pubmed, covering the period from 2005 to 2025. Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, we performed bibliometric and visual analyses. These included examining publication trends, contributions by countries and institutions, author collaboration networks, journal impact, keyword co-occurrence, and citation bursts.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A total of 1,259 publications from 110 countries were included. The number of publications fluctuated over time but generally increased, reaching its highest point in 2024 with 184 articles. The United States and China were the most active countries. Jordan had the highest average number of citations per paper. Among institutions, McGill University published the most papers, followed by the University of Toronto. The most productive journal was Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, whilst Cancers and Supportive Care in Cancer showed the fastest growth. Main research themes included pain management, anxiety reduction, breast cancer, and surgical training. Emerging trends involve the combination of augmented reality (AR), digital health, and artificial intelligence (AI) with VR.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study shows that VR research in cancer care is expanding worldwide, with most contributions coming from North America and Europe. Pain management remains the most common application. New technologies such as AR, AI, and telemedicine are becoming more integrated into VR interventions.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2026.1794020","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T05:43:50Z","timestamp":1790833430000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Bibliometric analysis of VR interventions in cancer research based on multiple databases: mapping research hotspots and developmental trends"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Ruihan","family":"Wang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sports Science, Nantong University","place":["Nantong, Jiangsu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yujie","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sports Science, Nantong University","place":["Nantong, Jiangsu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lidong","family":"Fang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sports Science, Nantong University","place":["Nantong, Jiangsu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shuoqi","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sports Science, Nantong University","place":["Nantong, Jiangsu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3322\/caac.21564","article-title":"The American Cancer Society 2035 challenge goal on cancer mortality reduction","volume":"69","author":"Ma","year":"2019","journal-title":"CA Cancer J Clin"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jconrel.2022.10.023","article-title":"Current perspectives and trend of nanomedicine in cancer: a review and bibliometric analysis","volume":"352","author":"Pei","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Control Release"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/pon.6184","article-title":"Psychological and behavioral symptoms in patients with melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"32","author":"Danielsen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Psychooncology"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1070","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.340","article-title":"Update on prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"51","author":"van den Beuken-van Everdingen","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Pain Symptom Manage"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2020.103707","article-title":"Prevalence and risk factors of cancer-related fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"111","author":"Ma","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Nurs Stud"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers16233943","article-title":"Virtual reality to improve the psychological and physical well-being in cancer patients: an umbrella review","volume":"16","author":"Bachelard","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cancers (Basel)"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-021-06763-z","article-title":"Psychological distress and health-related quality of life among women with breast cancer: a descriptive cross-sectional study","volume":"30","author":"Phoosuwan","year":"2022","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41380-019-0595-x","article-title":"Depression and anxiety in relation to cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies","volume":"25","author":"Wang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mol Psychiatry"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1007\/s10055-021-00507-4","article-title":"Cyber sickness in low-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive virtual reality","volume":"26","author":"Martirosov","year":"2022","journal-title":"Virtual Real"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmn.2020.04.002","article-title":"Virtual reality technology for pain and anxiety management among patients with cancer: a systematic review","volume":"21","author":"Ahmad","year":"2020","journal-title":"Pain Manag Nurs"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jcp.25117","article-title":"Virtual reality in health system: beyond entertainment. A mini-review on the efficacy of VR during cancer treatment","volume":"231","author":"Chirico","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Cell Physiol"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2025.08.030","article-title":"Efficacy of virtual reality in managing pain for patients in palliative care: a systematic review and meta-analysis","author":"Salim","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Pain Symptom Manage"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-019-05287-x","article-title":"Is Xbox 360 Kinect-based virtual reality training as effective as standard physiotherapy in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery","volume":"28","author":"Feyzio\u011flu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"694","DOI":"10.1007\/s13187-020-01870-7","article-title":"Virtual reality-based education for patients undergoing radiation therapy","volume":"37","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Cancer Educ"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1017\/S1478951518000639","article-title":"Virtual reality as a distraction technique for pain and anxiety among patients with breast cancer: a randomized control trial","volume":"17","author":"Bani Mohammad","year":"2019","journal-title":"Palliat Support Care"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/g4h.2023.0004","article-title":"Immersive virtual reality fitness games to improve recovery after colorectal surgery: a randomized single blind controlled pilot trial","volume":"12","author":"Schrempf","year":"2023","journal-title":"Games Health J"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzab071","article-title":"A randomized, controlled, crossover trial of virtual reality in maintenance cardiovascular rehabilitation in a low-resource setting: impact on adherence, motivation, and engagement","volume":"101","author":"da Cruz","year":"2021","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-024-08813-8","article-title":"Virtual reality-based supportive care interventions for patients with cancer: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses","volume":"32","author":"Hao","year":"2024","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/NCC.0000000000001401","article-title":"Virtual reality to reduce pain, fatigue, and emotional distress in people with cancer: a scoping review","volume":"49","author":"Cu\u00f1ado-Pradales","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cancer Nurs"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2021-051808","article-title":"Efficacy of virtual reality-based interventions for patients with breast cancer symptom and rehabilitation management: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2023.01.023","article-title":"Effectiveness of virtual reality in symptom management of cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"65","author":"Wu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Pain Symptom Manage"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"296","DOI":"10.4103\/1008-682X.171582","article-title":"Bibliometrics: tracking research impact by selecting the appropriate metrics","volume":"18","author":"Agarwal","year":"2016","journal-title":"Asian J Androl"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11192-009-0146-3","article-title":"Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping","volume":"84","author":"van Eck","year":"2010","journal-title":"Scientometrics"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2025.1604362","article-title":"Evolution and hotspots in breast cancer organoid research: insights from a bibliometric and visual knowledge mapping study (2005-2024)","volume":"15","author":"Wu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Oncol"},{"key":"B25","article-title":"CiteSpace II: visualization and knowledge discovery in bibliographic databases","volume":"2005","author":"Synnestvedt","year":"2005","journal-title":"AMIA Annu Symp Proc AMIA Symp"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.933555","article-title":"Global trends in nursing-related research on COVID-19: a bibliometric analysis","volume":"10","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Public Heal"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1534735419871108","article-title":"Meta-analysis of the efficacy of virtual reality-based interventions in cancer-related symptom management","volume":"18","author":"Zeng","year":"2019","journal-title":"Integr Cancer Ther"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3171\/2021.12.JNS211563","article-title":"Assessment of learning curves on a simulated neurosurgical task using metrics selected by artificial intelligence","volume":"137","author":"Ledwos","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Neurosurg"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41746-022-00596-8","article-title":"Continuous monitoring of surgical bimanual expertise using deep neural networks in virtual reality simulation","volume":"5","author":"Yilmaz","year":"2022","journal-title":"NPJ Digit Med"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1227\/ons.0000000000000173","article-title":"Artificial neural network approach to competency-based training using a virtual reality neurosurgical simulation","volume":"23","author":"Reich","year":"2022","journal-title":"Oper Neurosurg"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.3171\/2015.5.JNS15558","article-title":"Impact of acute stress on psychomotor bimanual performance during a simulated tumor resection task","volume":"126","author":"Bajunaid","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Neurosurg"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/01.REO.0000000000000297","article-title":"Access to physical rehabilitation for a range of adverse physical effects following different types of breast cancer surgery","volume":"40","author":"McGhee","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rehabil Oncol"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/01.REO.0000000000000309","article-title":"Gait, function, and strength following lower limb salvage surgery for a primary malignant bone tumor: a systematic review","volume":"40","author":"Nashed","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rehabil Oncol"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/ecc.12540","article-title":"Factors underlying metastatic breast cancer patients\u2019 perceptions of symptom importance: a qualitative analysis","volume":"27","author":"Mosher","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.18701","article-title":"Virtual reality therapy in managing cancer pain in middle-aged and elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Chen","year":"2024","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00002508-200109000-00007","article-title":"Effectiveness of virtual reality-based pain control with multiple treatments","volume":"17","author":"Hoffman","year":"2001","journal-title":"Clin J Pain"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-66035-4","article-title":"The effect of virtual reality on evoked potentials following painful electrical stimuli and subjective pain","volume":"10","author":"Lier","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/d3ra00371j","article-title":"Discussion on the need for correction during isotopic analysis of nitrogen by the denitrifier method","volume":"13","author":"Hu","year":"2023","journal-title":"RSC Adv"},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pain.2004.06.013","article-title":"Manipulating presence influences the magnitude of virtual reality analgesia","volume":"111","author":"Hoffman","year":"2004","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.631186","article-title":"Contemplating or acting? Which immersive modes should be favored in virtual reality during physiotherapy for breast cancer rehabilitation","volume":"12","author":"Buche","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/nop\/npaa012","article-title":"Use of virtual reality for symptom management in solid-tumor patients with implications for primary brain tumor research: a systematic review","volume":"7","author":"Leggiero","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neuro-oncology Pract"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2019\/7595639","article-title":"The effects of virtual reality training on function in chronic stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"2019","author":"Lee","year":"2019","journal-title":"BioMed Res Int"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s43046-020-00041-5","article-title":"A quasi-randomized clinical trial: virtual reality versus proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for postmastectomy lymphedema","volume":"32","author":"Atef","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Egypt Natl Canc Inst"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/IMI.0000000000000222","article-title":"Validation of a novel virtual reality training curriculum for robotic cardiac surgery: a randomized trial","volume":"10","author":"Valdis","year":"2015","journal-title":"Innov (Phila)"},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers14051193","article-title":"Vascular resection in pancreatectomy\u2014is it safe and useful for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer","volume":"14","author":"Jab\u0142o\u0144ska","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cancers (Basel)"},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare10112261","article-title":"Virtual reality combined with artificial intelligence (VR-AI) reduces hot flashes and improves psychological well-being in women with breast and ovarian cancer: a pilot study","volume":"10","author":"Horesh","year":"2022","journal-title":"Healthc (Basel Switzerland)"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers14051312","article-title":"Thermal ablation of liver tumors guided by augmented reality: an initial clinical experience","volume":"14","author":"Solbiati","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cancers (Basel)"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamasurg.2026.2516","article-title":"Single-encounter augmented reality-guided localization for resection of suspected early-stage lung cancer: a randomized clinical trial","author":"Song","year":"2026","journal-title":"JAMA Surg"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/curroncol33050279","article-title":"The contemporary role of virtual and augmented reality in radiation oncology: a review","volume":"33","author":"Mohssine","year":"2026","journal-title":"Curr Oncol"},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2026.1796508","article-title":"Effects of immersive virtual reality on anxiety, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"16","author":"Gao","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front Oncol"},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-30884-8","article-title":"Exploring healthcare providers\u2019 perceptions of virtual reality in lung cancer treatment preparedness: a mixed-methods feasibility study for the development of EveryBreathMatters","volume":"16","author":"Elkefi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci Rep"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Oncology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fonc.2026.1794020\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T05:43:51Z","timestamp":1790833431000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fonc.2026.1794020\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]]},"references-count":51,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fonc.2026.1794020"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fonc.2026.1794020","relation":{},"ISSN":["2234-943X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2234-943X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]]},"article-number":"1794020"}}