Flinders University researcher Dr Katia Ferrar is working alongside nurses from the Flinders Infusion Suite and Singapore-based tech company, Vue Reality Labs, to explore this novel idea to promote physical activity to patients undergoing cancer treatment.

“Looking at our activity guidelines, we know that many people undergoing chemotherapy, and cancer survivors in general, aren’t doing enough physical activity,” says Dr Ferrar, a Flinders Cancer Wellness Fellow supported by Flinders Foundation.

“But physical activity is so important for better outcomes, quality of life, avoiding cancer recurrence and for symptom management.

“Background research suggests that virtual reality (VR) exercise is more enjoyable than the same exercise without VR, and that if you have a positive experience exercising then you’re more likely to be physically active down the track.

“So, we’re really looking at not only giving patients this experience while having chemotherapy, but also promoting and encouraging them to be physically active in everyday life.”

The trial, planned for mid-2025, will see patients wear immersive VR goggles and pedal while sitting in a chair receiving treatment, journeying through different environments such as local national parks.

As an added benefit to boosting physical activity, the research team also hopes the trial may improve a patient's overall experience of chemotherapy.

“While increasing physical activity is the primary objective of the study, we’ll also be looking at whether it can assist with providing distraction and alleviating symptoms like anxiety and nausea, which are things typically reported in a chemotherapy session,” Dr Ferrar says.

Veronique Steffen (pictured) is undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and recently got a sneak peek of the trial system during her treatment.