Research advances in applications of virtual reality in radiotherapy
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2026.02.018
- VernacularTitle:虚拟现实技术在放射治疗中的应用研究进展
- Author:
Zihao LIN
1
;
Hui LIU
2
;
Riji YU
1
Author Information
1. School of Art and Design, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China;Research Center for The Integration Innovation of Culture & Scitech, Wuhan 430062, China.
2. Radiotherapy Center Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
- Publication Type:ReviewArticles
- Keywords:
Virtual reality;
Radiotherapy;
Patient experience;
Medical education;
Target volume delineation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2026;35(2):272-278
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Malignant tumors are a class of diseases that pose a serious threat to human health, and radiotherapy (RT) is one of the essential treatment modalities. Virtual reality (VR) technology, with its unique characteristics of immersion, interactivity, and imagination, demonstrates tremendous application potential in radiotherapy. Several randomized controlled trials have confirmed that VR, as a non-pharmacological intervention, can effectively alleviate anxiety in patients, especially children, and improve treatment adherence. In medical education and professional training, VR provides safe training platforms for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists through the construction of high-fidelity virtual environments. These platforms can be used for training skills in target volume delineation, treatment plan evaluation, and equipment quality control, thereby significantly improving training efficiency and quality. Furthermore, VR technology enables three-dimensional visualization and intuitive evaluation of treatment plans, facilitates multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaboration, and provides new paradigms for the development of real-time guidance technologies that integrate with augmented reality. This article systematically reviews the current applications of VR technology in the clinical practice, medical education, radiation protection, and scientific research of radiotherapy. It also discusses future prospects for integrating VR with artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and haptic feedback technologies. This review provides a valuable reference for the standardized application of VR technology in radiotherapy and radiation protection in China.
