Abstract: Objective To conduct a scoping review on researches on the application of virtual reality (VR) technology in patients at the end of life, and to provide reference for healthcare professionals to further develop and apply VR technology in the field of end-life care. Methods Using the scoping review guidelines developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) as methodological guidance, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library, CINAHL, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP were searched with a retrieval period spanning from the inception to August 2023. Data were screened and extracted independently by two researchers. Results A total of 13 studies were included, all of which were in English. The intervention types of VR technology were mainly based on immersive movie watching or game experience, etc. The total intervention course ranged from 1 day to 4 weeks, and the duration of a single intervention was 4 to 60 minutes per session. The outcome indicators mainly included the impact on pain, symptom distress, mental or mental health, quality of life, physiological parameters, and feasibility and acceptability. Conclusion VR technology intervention has a positive impact on end-of-life patients, with strong feasibility and high acceptability. In the future, large-scale and high-quality studies are still needed to verify the application effect of VR technology in end-of-life patients, so as to provide an evidence-based basis for the development of an optimal VR technology intervention program that meets the characteristics of end-of-life population in China.

Key words: virtual reality, end of life, palliative care, scoping review